Turpentine

Description

A naturally occurring organic compound, turpentine is secreted from pine trees and is soluble in alcohol and ether but not water.Oil of turpentine is often called spirits of turpentine, or in the paint trade, turpentine. In medicine the word turpentine is reserved for the oleoresin which upon distillation yields oil of turpentine and rosin. Oil of turpentine is used principally as a solvent for paints and varnishes, because it mixes readily with the various substances used and also because it evaporates quickly,causing the paint or varnish to dry.It is also used in making such things as sealing wax and shoe polish. Very pure grades of turpentine, the oleoresin, are used medicinally.

Chemical Properties

Balsam turpentine is the oleo-gum-resin obtained by incisions made on the trunks of several trees belonging to the genus Pinus. The common American turpentine comes from P. palustris. Crude turpentine contains 75 to 90% resin and 10 to 25% oil. It is of paramount importance to use special techniques in making incisions, because the tree otherwise may die in a short time. A gum (gum turpentine) consisting of white incrustations is formed around the incisions in the tree. Rosin is the resinous residue of the distillation of turpentine. There are several varieties of rosin, varying in color from the palest amber to nearly black and from translucent to opaque, depending on the turpentine source. Colophony is the name of the common rosin variety. The part used is the oleo-gum-resin (turpentine balsam). Turpentine has a penetrating and characteristic odor and a pungent, bitter taste.

Physical properties

Turpentine is a clear, flammable liquid, with a pungent odor and a bitter taste. It is immiscible with water and has a boiling point above 150 °C. Turpentine is a mixture of organic compounds, mainly terpenes, and its composition can vary considerably according to the species of pine from which it is derived. Fractional distillation of turpentine allows the isolation of α-pinene and β-pinene.

Uses

Turpentine is a mixture of substances called terpenes, primarily pinene. Gum turpentine is extracted from pine pitch; wood turpentine, from wood chips. It has had greater home than industrial use as a solvent. It is irritating and anesthetic and is one of the few solvents that causes allergic contact dermatitis. The incidence of sensitization varies with the type of pine, being generally higher with European than American pines. Owing to the frequency of allergic dermatitis, the availability of turpentine is now extremely limited. One recent study suggested that occupational paternal exposure to turpentine was associated with neuroblastoma in offspring.

Definition

turpentine: An oily liquid extractedfrom pine resin. It contains pinene,C₁₀H₁₆, and other terpenes and ismainly used as a solvent.

Definition

A yellow viscous resin obtained from coniferous trees. It can be distilled to produce turpentine oil (also known simply as turpentine), used in medicine and as a solvent in paints, polishes, and varnishes.

Composition

Turpentine is primarily composed of monoterpene hydrocarbons (pinenes, camphene and 3-carene). Rosin contains primarily diterpene resin acids, such as abietic acid, dehydroabietic acid, palustric acid and isopimaric acid. P. elliottii turpentine contains around 60% of α-pinene and 30% of β-pinene. P. radiata turpentine generally contains more than 95% of total pinene, of which over half is β-pinene. 3-Carene, which is found in significant proportions in the turpentine of some Pinus species (such as P. roxburghii and P. sylvestris), is of little value and even if it is present in relatively small amounts it may be undesirable for certain applications.

Health Hazard

Recommended Personal Protective Equipment: Organic canister or air-supplied mask; goggles or face shield; rubber gloves; Symptoms Following Exposure: Vapors cause headache, confusion, respiratory distress. Liquid irritates skin. If ingested, can irritate the entire digestive system and may injure kidneys. If liquid is taken into lungs, causes several pneumonitis; General Treatment for Exposure: INHALATION: remove victim to fresh air; call a doctor; administer artificial respiration and oxygen if required. INGESTION: give water and induce vomiting; call a doctor. EYES: flush with water for at least 15 min. SKIN: wipe off, wash with soap and water; Toxicity by Inhalation (Threshold Limit Value): 100 ppm; Short-Term Exposure Limits: 200 ppm for 30 min.; Toxicity by Ingestion: Grade 2, LD50 = 0.5-5 g/kg; Late Toxicity: None; Vapor (Gas) Irritant Characteristics: Vapor causes a slight smarting of the eyes or respiratory system if present in high concentration. The effect is temporary; Liquid or Solid Irritant Characteristics: Minimum hazard. If spilled on clothing and allowed to remain, may be cause smarting and reddening of the skin; Odor Threshold: Data not available.

Chemical Reactivity

Reactivity with Water No reaction; Reactivity with Common Materials: No reactions; Stability During Transport: Stable; Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics: Not pertinent; Polymerization: Not pertinent; Inhibitor of Polymerization: Not pertinent.

Raw materials

Preparation Products