1,2,3,5-Tetramethylbenzene

Tetramethylbenzene is a metal carbonyl that has been shown to react with the deuterium isotope and produce trifluoroacetic acid and hydrochloric acid. The reaction mechanism is believed to involve a substitution reaction in which the deuterium isotope substitutes for hydrogen atoms in the tetramethylbenzene molecule. Tetramethylbenzene can be used as a synthetic intermediate for peptide hormones, such as insulin. Tetramethylbenzene has also been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and IL-1β.