[1] The method for the production of DMT from p-xylene (PX) and methanol consists of a multistep process involving both oxidation and esterification.

A mixture of p-xylene (PX) and methyl p-toluate is oxidized with air in the presence of cobalt and manganese catalysts.

[2] Oxidation of methyl p-toluate followed by esterification also yields dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) as shown in the below reaction:[1] DMT can also be made by a different route, namely direct esterification of terephthalic acid with methanol.

Structurally, DMT consists of a benzene ring substituted at the 1 and 4 positions with methyl carboxylate (-CO2CH3) groups.

Because DMT is volatile, it is an intermediate in some schemes for the recycling of PET, e.g. from plastic bottles.