It is obtained as a minor product in the
Friedel–Crafts methylation of
xylene to
durene (1,2,4,5-tetramethylbenzene). Like durene, pentamethylbenzene is rather electron-rich and undergoes electrophilic substitution readily. Indeed, it is used as a scavenger for
carbocations. Pentamethylbenzene has been observed as an intermediate in the formation of
hexamethylbenzene from
phenol and
alkylation of
durene or pentamethylbenzene has been reported as a suitable starting material for the synthesis of hexamethylbenzene. ==References==