Turpentine
For the band, click Turpentine (band).Turpentine is a fluid obtained by the complex
distillation of
resin obtained from
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:
*
Maritime Pine Pinus pinaster*
Aleppo Pine Pinus halepensis*
Masson's Pine Pinus massoniana*
Sumatran Pine Pinus merkusii*
Longleaf Pine Pinus palustris*
Loblolly Pine Pinus taeda*
Ponderosa Pine Pinus ponderosaHowever, one of the earliest sources is thought to be the
terebinth or turpentine tree (
Pistacia terebinthus), a
Mediterranean tree related to the
pistachio.
Turpentine has been used medically since ancient times.
*Applied externally to the affected areas, turpentine is a highly effective treatment for
lice.
*Turpentine can be mixed with
animal fat as a primitive
chest rub for nasal and throat complaints. Some modern chest rubs still contain some turpentine (e.g.,
Vicks).
*Internal administration of turpentine is no longer common today, though it was once the preferred means of treating
intestinal parasites. It has
antiseptic and
diuretic properties.
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 Its industrial use as a solvent in industrialized nations have largely been replaced by the much cheaper
turpentine substitutes distilled from
crude oil.
Canada balsam, also called Canada turpentine or balsam of
fir, is a turpentine which is made from the
resin of the balsam fir.
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. The mixture of
diterpenes and
triterpenes that is 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".
Turpentine is an
organic solvent, and thus poses many of the same hazards as do other such substances. It can burn the skin and eyes, damage the
lungs and respiratory system, as well as the
central nervous system when inhaled, and cause
renal failure when ingested, among other things. It is highly flammable.
*
Chemical Database: Turpentine (EnvironmentalChemistry.com)*
IPCS INCHEM Turpentine classification, hazard, and property table*
Gum naval stores: Turpentine and rosin from pine resin*
Turpentine produced in forced labor camps "Turpentine Camps" in the 30s and 40s aka "Debt Slavery"*
Florida State Archive photographs of turpentine camps and laborers*
Turpentine substitute*
White spirit
