Turpentine Turpentine Whitewright, Texas Category="Household chemicals"Category="Painting materials"Category="Resins"Category="Solvents"
Turpentine
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Chemical nameTurpentine
Chemical formulaC10H16 (aproximate)
Molecular mass136 g/mol (aproximate)
CAS number[8006-64-2]
Density[0.85-0.87] g/cm3 (aproximate)
Melting point< -50 °C (aproximate)
Boiling point[150-170] °C (aproximate)
SMILESxxx
Disclaimer and references

Turpentine is a fluid obtained by the complex Distillation from Resin obtained by trees, mainly various species of pine (Pinus). It is composed of terpenes, mainly the monoterpenes alpha-Pinene and beta-Pinene. Alternative names are wood turpentine, spirit of turpentine, oil of turpentine and gum turpentine. It is also known colloquially as just "turps", although this more often refers to Turpentine substitute (or mineral turpentine). Boiling in large tubs takes place at 155 degrees Celsius to obtain turpentine oil.

Important pines for turpentine production include:

although one of the earliest sources is thought to be the Terebinth Pistacia terebinthus or turpentine tree, a Mediterranean tree related to the Pistachio.

Medicinal uses

Turpentine has been used medically since ancient times.

Industrial uses

The two primary uses of turpentine in industry are as a solvent and as a source of materials for organic synthesis.

As a solvent, turpentine is used for thinning oil-based paints, producing varnishes, and as a raw material for the chemical industry. Its industrial use as a solvent in first-world nations have largely been replaced by the much cheaper turpentine substitutes distilled from crude oil.

Turpentine is also used as a source of raw materials in the synthesis of fragrant chemical compounds. Commercially used Camphor, Linalool, alpha-Terpineol, and Geraniol are all usually produced from alpha-Pinene and beta-Pinene, which are two of the chief chemical components of turpentine. These pinenes are separated and purified by distillation. A mixture of diterpenes and triterpenes that left as residue after terpentine distillation is sold as Rosin.

Turpentine is also added to many cleaning and sanitary products due to its Antiseptic properties and its "clean scent".

Hazards

Turpentine is an organic solvent, and thus poses many of the same hazards as do other substances in this class. It can burn the skin and eyes, damage the lungs and respiratory system, as well as the central nervous system when inhaled, and cause kidney failure when ingested, among other things. It is highly flammable. At 155 degrees Celsius, the resin is boiled and distilled to produce oils.

External links

See also