Prehnitene


Prehnitene or 1,2,3,4-tetramethylbenzene is an organic compound with the formula C6H24, classified as an aromatic hydrocarbon. It is a flammable colorless liquid which is nearly insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents. It occurs naturally in coal tar. Prehnitene is one of three isomers of tetramethylbenzene, the other two being isodurine and durene. It is a relatively easily oxidized benzene derivative, with E1/2 of 2.0 V vs NHE.

Production

Industrially, prehnitene can be isolated from the reformed fraction of oil refineries. It may also be produced by methylation of toluene, xylenes and the trimethylbenzenes hemellitene and pseudocumene.