Turpentine

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For other uses, see Turpentine (disambiguation).
Turpentine
IUPAC name not applicable
Identifiers
CAS number [8006-64-2]
SMILES not applicable (see [1])
Properties
Molecular formula C10H16 (approximate)
Molar mass 136 g/mol (approximate)
Density 0.85-0.87 g/cm³ (approximate)
Melting point

< −50 °C (approximate)
Boiling point

150-170 °C
Hazards
Flash point 35 °C
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for
materials in their standard state
(at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox disclaimer and references

Turpentine (also called spirit of turpentine, oil of turpentine, wood turpentine, gum turpentine) is a fluid obtained by the distillation of resin obtained from trees, mainly pine trees. It is composed of terpenes, mainly the monoterpenes alpha-pinene and beta-pinene. It has a potent odor similar to that of nail polish remover. It is sometimes known colloquially as turps, but this more often refers to turpentine substitute (or mineral turpentine).

The word turpentine is formed (via French and Latin) from the Greek word terebinthine, the name of a species of tree, the terebinth tree, from whose sap the spirit was originally distilled.[1]

Contents

[edit] Production

One of the earliest sources was the terebinth or turpentine tree (Pistacia terebinthus), a Mediterranean tree related to the pistachio.

Important pines for turpentine production include:

[edit] Industrial and other end uses

1912 postcard depicting a turpentine harvesters
1912 postcard depicting a turpentine harvesters

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, for producing varnishes, and as a raw material for the chemical industry. Its industrial use as a solvent in industrialized nations has largely been replaced by the much cheaper turpentine substitutes distilled from crude oil.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.

Venice turpentine is produced from the Western Larch Larix occidentalis.

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 turpentine distillation is sold as rosin.

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

In early 19th Century America, turpentine was sometimes burned in lamps as a cheap alternative to whale oil. It was most commonly used for outdoor lighting, due to its strong odor. [2]

[edit] Hazards

Turpentine is an organic solvent, and thus poses many of the same hazards as do other such substances. Its vapor 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.

[edit] Medicinal elixir

Turpentine and petroleum distillates such as coal oil and kerosene have been used medicinally since ancient times, as topical and sometimes internal home remedies. Topically it has been used for abrasions and wounds, as a treatment for lice, and when mixed with animal fat it has been used as a chest rub, or inhaler for nasal and throat ailments. Many modern chest rubs, such as the Vicks variety, still contain turpentine in their formulations.

Though internal administration of these toxic products is no longer common today, it was once administered by masking the taste by dosing sugar cubes, molasses, or honey, or when unavailable, straight. It was touted as treatment for intestinal parasites due to its alleged antiseptic and diuretic properties, and a general cure-all.[3][4]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Barnhart, R.K. (1995). The Barnhart Consise Dictionary of Etymology. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN 0062700847. 
  2. ^ Charles H. Haswell. Reminiscences of New York By an Octogenarian (1816 - 1860).
  3. ^ Rural Life in the United States: Home Remedies. American Memory Timeline. The Library of Congress (2002). Retrieved on 2008-02-22.
  4. ^ Delbert Trew (15 June2007). Coal Oil was Useful All-Purpose Home Remedy. Texas Escapes. Blueprints For Travel, LLC.. Retrieved on 2008-02-22.

[edit] External links

[edit] See also