mesityl oxide

[ mez-i-til, mes- ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. an oily, colorless liquid, C 6 H 1 0 O, having a honeylike odor: used chiefly as a solvent and in the manufacture of synthetic organic compounds.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mesityl oxide¹

1870–75; mesityl < New Latin mesīt ( a ) (< Greek mesī́tēs mediator, go-between, equivalent to mes- mes- + -ītēs -ite ¹ ) + -yl

Example Sentences

The department says it's likely that some kind of waste containing mesityl oxide mixed with some kind of sulfur compound to create the smell.

From US News

Mesityl oxide is used in paint removers, as a solvent and in insect repellents.

From US News

About 5,700 lbs. of a mixture containing mesityl oxide escaped when an excessive amount of steam built up in a distillation tank.

From Time Magazine Archive

By the action of various reagents such as lime, caustic potash, hydrochloric acid, &c., acetone is converted into condensation products, mesityl oxide C6H10O, phorone C9H14O, &c., being formed.

From Project Gutenberg