: Isophthalic acid is produced on the billion kilogram per year scale by oxidizing meta-xylene using oxygen.The process employs a cobalt-manganese catalyst. In the laboratory, chromic acid can be used as the oxidant. It also arises by fusing potassium meta-sulphobenzoate, or meta-brombenzoate with potassium formate (terephthalic acid is also formed in the last case).
The barium salt (as its hexahydrate) is very soluble (a distinction between phthalic and terephthalic acids). Uvitic acid, 5-methylisophthalic acid, is obtained by oxidizing mesitylene or by condensing pyroracemic acid with baryta water.
: I 1656 (OTTO) Isophthalic acid, 99% Cas 121-91-5 - used as an intermediate primarily for unsaturated polyester resins and alkyd and polyester coating resins; other applications include use in aramid fibers, as a component of copolyester resins and in high-temperature polymers.