Mesity oxide is a tri-functional intermediate of considerable utility in the synthesis of a number of different types of organic compounds, such as mesityl oxide can be hydrogenated to methyl isobutyl ketone and other flavor ingredients in foods, such as 4- methyl-pentanone. Mesityl oxide can be used as a solvent for resins, gums, nitrocellulose, oils, lacquers, and inks. It is also used as an insect repellant and used in ore flotation.