A colourless aromatic hydrocarbon, isomeric with cumene, obtainable from petroleum or by distillation of acetone with sulphuric acid; 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, C₆H₃(CH₃)₃.
Origin
Mid 19th century. From mesityl + -ene.
Definition of mesitylene in US English:
mesitylene
nounmɪˈsɪtɪliːn
Chemistry
A colourless aromatic hydrocarbon, isomeric with cumene, obtainable from petroleum or by distillation of acetone with sulphuric acid; 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, C₆H₃(CH₃)₃.