Trimesic acid

Trimesic acid, also known as benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid, is a benzene derivative with three carboxylic acid groups.

Trimesic acid is a planar molecule (and is one of only four benzenecarboxylic acids with that property).

Trimesic acid can be combined with para-hydroxypyridine to make a water-based gel, stable up to 95 °C.