Comparative study on ignition characteristics of n-propylbenzene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene behind reflected shock waves

•New ignition delay times of 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene are measured.•Comparisons of the ignition characteristics of three C9H12 fuels are performed.•Dominant reactions affecting ignition of three C9H12 fuels are different.•The reaction path of trimethylbenzene is different from n-propyl benzene.•Trimethylbenzene undergoes complicated reactions compared with n-propyl benzene.