Abstract

Polymethylbenzenes are benzene derivatives that contain three to six methyl group substituents. Included are 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene (mesitylene), 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene (pseudocumene), 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene (hemimellitene), 1,2,4,5-tetramethylbenzene (durene), 1,2,3,5-tetramethylbenzene (isodurene), 1,2,3,4-tetramethylbenzene (prehnitene), pentamethylbenzene, and hexamethylbenzene. Physical properties, chemical properties, manufacture, production and shipping, specifications, health and safety factors, environmental considerations, uses, and derivatives are reviewed. The polymethylbenzenes are primarily basic building blocks for more complex chemical intermediates. Pseudocumene, mesitylene, and durene are used to produce polymer additives and intermediates, antioxidants, and agricultural chemicals.