Fittig discovered the pinacol coupling reaction, mesitylene, diacetyl and biphenyl. Uvitic acid is obtained by oxidizing mesitylene. The name and structure of mesitol derives from the combination of mesitylene and phenol. An example of the Zn(CN) method is the synthesis of mesitaldehyde from mesitylene. The silver mesitylene adduct is a tetramer. It is prepared by selective mononitration of mesitylene, avoiding oxidation of the methyl groups. Oxidation of mesitylene with nitric acid affords trimesic acid, CH(COOH). However, Kane's determination of the chemical composition ("empirical formula") of mesitylene was incorrect. The three aromatic hydrogen atoms of mesitylene are in identical chemical shift environments. This derivative is prepared by selective mononitration of mesitylene, avoiding oxidation of the methyl groups. The method works particularly well with electron-rich arenes (e.g., anisole, mesitylene). Uvitic acid is obtained by oxidizing mesitylene or by condensing pyruvic acid with baryta water. The best-known isomer is mesitylene. Mesitylene is a colourless liquid with sweet aromatic odor. Mesitylene is used in the laboratory as a specialty solvent.