M-Toluic acid

m-Toluic acid,, is an aromatic carboxylic acid, with formula C₆H₄. It is an isomer of p-toluic acid and o-toluic acid.

Preparation

m-Toluic acid is often prepared in the laboratory by refluxing m-xylene with either nitric acid or potassium permanganate, oxidizing one of the methyl groups to COOH.

Uses

It serves, among other purposes, as a precursor to DEET, the well-known insect repellent.