Term: mesogenic pitch https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M03841 Definition: A pitch with a complex mixture of numerous essentially aromatic hydrocarbons. It does not contain anisotropic particles detectable by optical microscopy. Mesogenic pitch is low in quinoline-insoluble fractions and capable of transforming into mesophase pitch during continuous heat treatment above 750 K by the formation of optically detectable carbonaceous mesophase. Related Terms: 1) pitch (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.P04677). 2) mesophase pitch (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M03850). 3) carbonaceous mesophase (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C00822). 4) hydrocarbons (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.H02889). Source: PAC, 1995, 67, 473. 'Recommended terminology for the description of carbon as a solid (IUPAC Recommendations 1995)' on page 496 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199567030473) Citation: 'mesogenic pitch' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M03841 License: The IUPAC Gold Book is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike CC BY-SA 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) for individual terms. Disclaimer: The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) is continuously reviewing and, where needed, updating terms in the Compendium of Chemical Terminology (the IUPAC Gold Book). Users of these terms are encouraged to include the version of a term with its use and to check regularly for updates to term definitions that you are using.