Turpentine

Turpentine is a fluid obtained by distillation from 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).

Industrial uses

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

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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 Its industrial use as a solvent in first-world nations have largely been replaced by the much cheaper turpentine substitutes distilled from crude oil.

Related Topics:
Paint - Varnish - First-world - Turpentine substitute - Crude oil

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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.

Related Topics:
Camphor - Linalool - Alpha-Terpineol - Geraniol - Pinene - Diterpene - Triterpene - Rosin

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

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