1,2,3-Trimethylbenzene is an organic compound with the chemical formula CH(CH). Classified as an aromatic hydrocarbon, it is a flammable colorless liquid. It is nearly insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents.
The compound occurs naturally in coal tar and petroleum. It is one of the three isomers of trimethylbenzene. It is used in jet fuel, mixed with other hydrocarbons, to prevent the formation of solid particles which might damage the engine.
German chemist first prepared the hydrocarbon in 1882 and designated it hemellitol as a reference to the trivial name of hexamethylbenzene.[1] Four years later he also discovered it in the coal tar.[2]
Industrially, it is isolated from the C aromatic hydrocarbon fraction during petroleum distillation. It is also generated by methylation of toluene and xylenes.[3]