 Turpentine distilled at theGeorgia Museum of Agriculture & Historic Village as it was done circa 1900 | |
| Identifiers | |
|---|---|
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.029.407 |
| EC Number |
|
| UNII | |
| Properties[1] | |
| C10H16 | |
| Molar mass | 136.238 g·mol−1 |
| Appearance | Viscous liquid |
| Odor | Resinous |
| Melting point | −55 °C (−67 °F; 218 K) |
| Boiling point | 154 °C (309 °F; 427 K) |
| 20 mg/L | |
| Hazards | |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | |
| Flash point | 35 °C (95 °F; 308 K) |
| 220[1] °C (428 °F; 493 K) | |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in theirstandard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
Turpentine (which is also calledspirit of turpentine,oil of turpentine,terebenthine,terebenthene,terebinthine and, colloquially,turps)[2] is a fluid obtained by thedistillation ofresin harvested from living trees, mainlypines. Principally used as a specializedsolvent, it is also a source of material fororganic syntheses.
Turpentine is composed ofterpenes, primarily the monoterpenesalpha- andbeta-pinene, with lesser amounts ofcarene,camphene,limonene, andterpinolene.[3] Nowadays, turpentine is rarely the product of distillation of pine rosin, but is a byproduct of pulping. Pulping is achieved by two processes,Kraft process and theSulfite process. The turpentine obtained from these two processes differ in their chemical composition. Sulfite process gives a product that is rich incymene, whereas the Kraft process gives a pinene-rich product.[4]
Substitutes includewhite spirit or otherpetroleum distillates – although the constituent chemicals are very different.[5]
The wordturpentine derives (viaFrench andLatin) from theGreek word,τερεβινθίνη,terebinthine in English, in turn the feminine form (to conform to thefeminine gender of the Greek word, which means 'resin') of an adjective (τερεβίνθινος) derived from the Greek noun (τερέβινθος) for theterebinth tree.[6]
Although the word originally referred to the resinous exudate of terebinth trees (e.g.Chios turpentine,Cyprus turpentine, andPersian turpentine),[7][8] it now refers to that ofconiferous trees, namelycrude turpentine (e.g. Venice turpentine is theoleoresin oflarch),[9] or thevolatile oil part thereof, namely oil (spirit) of turpentine; the latter usage is much more common today.[10]
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), slash pine (Pinus elliottii), and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa).
Crude turpentine collected from the trees may be evaporated bysteam distillation in acopper still. Moltenrosin remains in the still bottoms after turpentine has been distilled out.[11] Such turpentine is calledgum turpentine.[12] The termgum turpentine may also refer to crude turpentine, which may cause some confusion.
Turpentine may alternatively be extracted fromdestructive distillation of pine wood,[3] such as shredded pine stumps, roots, and slash, using the light end of the heavynaphtha fraction (boiling between 90 and 115 °C or 195 and 240 °F) from a crudeoil refinery. Such turpentine is calledwood turpentine. Multi-stage counter-currentextraction is commonly used so fresh naphtha first contacts wood leached in previous stages and naphtha laden with turpentine from previous stages contacts fresh wood beforevacuum distillation to recover naphtha from the turpentine. Leached wood is steamed for additional naphtha recovery prior to burning forenergy recovery.[13]
When producing chemicalwood pulp frompines or otherconiferous trees, sulfate turpentine may be condensed from the gas generated inKraft process pulpdigesters. The average yield of crude sulfate turpentine is 5–10 kg/t pulp.[14] Unless burned at the mill for energy production, sulfate turpentine may require additional treatment measures to remove traces ofsulfur compounds.[15]
As a solvent, turpentine is used for thinning oil-basedpaints, for producingvarnishes, and as a raw material for the chemical industry. Its use as a solvent in industrialized nations has largely been replaced by the much cheaperturpentine substitutes obtained frompetroleum such aswhite spirit. A solution of turpentine andbeeswax orcarnauba wax has long been used as a furniture wax.
Spirits of turpentine, calledcamphine, was burned in lamps with glass chimneys in the 1830s through the 1860s. Turpentine blended withgrain alcohol was known as burning fluid. Both were used as domestic lamp fuels, gradually replacingwhale oil, untilkerosene,gas lighting andelectric lights began to predominate.
Turpentine is also used as a source of raw materials in the synthesis of fragrant chemical compounds. Commercially usedcamphor,linalool,alpha-terpineol, andgeraniol are all usually produced fromalpha-pinene andbeta-pinene, which are two of the chief chemical components of turpentine. These pinenes are separated and purified by distillation. The mixture ofditerpenes andtriterpenes that is left as residue after turpentine distillation is sold asrosin.
| NFPA 704 safety square | |
|---|---|
Turpentine is highly flammable, so much so that it has been considered as an automotive fuel.
Turpentine was added extensively into gin during theGin Craze.[23]
Turpentine's vapour can irritate the skin and eyes, damage thelungs and respiratory system, as well as thecentral nervous system when inhaled, and cause damage to therenal system when ingested, among other things.[24] Ingestion can cause burning sensations, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, confusion, convulsions, diarrhea,tachycardia, unconsciousness, respiratory failure,[25] andchemical pneumonia.
The USOccupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set the legal limit (permissible exposure limit) for turpentine exposure in the workplace as 100 ppm (560 mg/m3) over an 8-hour workday. The same threshold was adopted by theNational Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) as therecommended exposure limit (REL). At levels of 800 ppm (4480 mg/m3), turpentine isimmediately dangerous to life and health.[26]
Turpentine and petroleum distillates such ascoal oil and kerosene, were used infolk medicine for abrasions and wounds, as a treatment forlice, and when mixed withanimal fat, as a chest rub or inhaler for nasal and throat ailments.[27][28]Vickschest rubs still contain turpentine in their formulations, although not as an active ingredient.[29]
Turpentine, now understood to be dangerous for consumption, was a common medicine among seamen during theAge of Discovery. It was one of several products carried aboardFerdinand Magellan's fleet during thefirst circumnavigation of the globe.[30] Taken internally it was used as a treatment forintestinal parasites. This is dangerous, due to the chemical's toxicity.[31][32]
Turpentineenemas, a very harsh purgative, had formerly been used for stubborn constipation or impaction.[33] They were also given punitively to political dissenters in post-independence Argentina.[34]
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of November 2024 (link)A turpentine and hot water, and [wring hot towels out of there], and put it on their chest and back. --Elsie Miller (nee Smith)
| Authority control databases: National |
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