Turpentine is a fluid obtained by the distillation of resin obtained from live trees, mainly
pines. It is mainly used as a solvent and as a source of materials for organic synthesis.
Turpentine is composed of terpenes, mainly the monoterpenes alpha-pinene and beta-pinene
with lesser amounts of carene, camphene, dipentene, and terpinolene.
The word turpentine derives from the Greek word τερεβινθίνη terebinthine,
the name of a species of tree, the terebinth tree. Mineral turpentine or other petroleum
distillates are used to replace turpentine, but they are very different chemically.
Source trees
One of the earliest sources was the terebinth or turpentine tree, a Mediterranean tree related
to the pistachio. Important pines for turpentine production include: maritime pine, Aleppo
pine, Masson's pine, Sumatran pine, longleaf pine, loblolly pine and ponderosa pine. Jeffrey
pine, which resembles ponderosa pine, produces a resin that, when distilled, yields almost
pure n-heptane, a volatile hydrocarbon which is highly flammable: therefore it cannot be
used to make turpentine. Canada balsam, also called Canada turpentine
or balsam of fir, is a turpentine which is made from the oleoresin of the balsam fir.
Venice turpentine is produced from the western larch Larix occidentalis.
In order to tap into the sap producing layers of the tree, turpentiners used a combination
of hacks to remove the pine bark. Once debarked, pine trees secrete oleoresin onto the surface
of the wound as a protective measure to seal the opening, resist exposure to micro-organisms
and insects and prevent vital sap loss. Turpentiners wounded trees in V-shaped streaks down the
length of the trunks so as to channel the oleoresin into containers. It was then collected
and processed into spirits of turpentine. Oleoresin yield may be increased by as much
as 40% by applying paraquat herbicides to the exposed wood.
The V-shaped cuts are called "catfaces" for their resemblance to a cat’s whiskers. These
marks on a pine tree signify it was used to collect resin for turpentine production.
Converting oleoresin to turpentine Crude oleoresin collected from wounded trees
may be evaporated by steam distillation in a copper still. Molten rosin remains in the
still bottoms after turpentine has been evaporated and recovered from a condenser. Turpentine
may alternatively be condensed from destructive distillation of pine wood.
Oleoresin may also be extracted from shredded pine stumps, roots, and slash using the light
end of the heavy naphtha fraction from a crude oil refinery. Multi-stage counter-current
extraction is commonly used so fresh naphtha first contacts wood leached in previous stages
and naphtha laden with turpentine from previous stages contacts fresh wood before vacuum distillation
to recover naphtha from the turpentine. Leached wood is steamed for additional naphtha recovery
prior to burning for energy recovery. When producing chemical wood pulp from pines
or other coniferous trees, sulfate turpentine may be condensed from the gas generated in
Kraft process pulp digesters. The average yield of crude sulfate turpentine is 5–10 kg/t
pulp. Unless burned at the mill for energy production, sulfate turpentine may require
additional treatment measures to remove traces of sulfur compounds.
Industrial and other end uses Solvent
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. Turpentine has long been used as a solvent,
mixed with beeswax or with carnauba wax, to make fine furniture wax for use as a protective
coating over oiled wood finishes. Source of organic compounds
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. 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.
Taken internally it was used as treatment for intestinal parasites because of its alleged
antiseptic and diuretic properties, and a general cure-all as in Hamlin's Wizard Oil.
Sugar, molasses or honey were sometimes used to mask the taste. Internal administration
of these toxic products is no longer common today.
Turpentine was a common medicine among seamen during the Age of Discovery, and one of several
products carried aboard Ferdinand Magellan's fleet in his first circumnavigation of the
globe. Niche uses
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 odour. A blend of ethanol and turpentine added as an illuminant
called burning fluid was also important for several decades. In 1946, Soichiro Honda used
turpentine as a fuel for the first Honda motorcycles as gasoline was almost totally unavailable
following World War II. Turpentine was a common additive in cheap
gin until the 20th century and gave it its characteristic juniper berry flavour without
the need for pricier distillations with aromatic spices and berries.
Hazards As an organic solvent, its vapour can irritate
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. Being combustible,
it also poses a fire hazard. Due to the fact that turpentine can cause spasms of the airways
particularly in people with asthma and whooping cough, it can contribute to a worsening of
breathing issues in persons with these diseases if inhaled.
See also Galipot
Charles Herty Mineral turpentine
Patent medicine White spirit
Russia leather, a water-resistant leather, using a birch oil distillate similar to turpentine
in its manufacture. Sources
Kent, James A. Riegel's Handbook of Industrial Chemistry Van Nostrand Reinhold Company ISBN
0-442-20164-8 References
External links Inchem.org, IPCS INCHEM Turpentine classification,
hazard, and property table. CDC - NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
- Turpentine FAO.org, Gum naval stores: Turpentine and
rosin from pine resin FloridaMemory.com, Florida State Archive photographs
of turpentine camps and laborers HCHSonline.org, Timber and Turpentine Industries
Distil my beating heart Florida's “Turpmtine” Camps