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TURPENTINE FROM PINE RESIN

( Update: 17/09/2014 )

Turpentine is the volatile oil distilled from pine resin, which itself is obtained by tapping trees of the genus Pinus. The solid material left behind after distillation is known as rosin. Both products are used in a wide variety of applications but only turpentine is discussed in detail here (rosin is briefly referred to in PRODUCTS OTHER THAN OIL, below).

Turpentine, rosin and derivatives of these which have been obtained via tapping of living pine trees (whether natural stands or plantations) are known collectively as gum naval stores (and the turpentine and rosin as gum turpentine and gum rosin, respectively). This distinguishes them from turpentine and rosin which have been recovered as by-products from chemical pulping of pines and which are referred to as sulphate naval stores; and wood naval stores, which are similar materials obtained from aged pine stumps. Neither sulphate nor wood naval stores are discussed further.

Traditionally, turpentine has been employed as a solvent or cleaning agent for paints and varnishes and this is still often the case today, particularly in those countries where the pine trees are tapped. There are also some specialized uses, in the pharmaceutical industry, for example.

Most turpentine nowadays, however, is used as a source of chemical isolates which are then converted into a wide range of products. Many of these, including the biggest single turpentine derivative, synthetic pine oil, are employed for fragrance and flavour use, although there are also many important non-aromatic applications such as polyterpene resins. Pine oil is used in disinfectants, cleaning agents and other products having a "pine" odour. Derivatives such as isobornyl acetate, camphor, citral, linalool, citrinellal, menthol and many others are used either in their own right or for the elaboration of other fragrance and flavour compounds. Many of the odours and flavours in use today, which are associated with naturally occurring oils, may well be derived, instead, from turpentine.

A few of the minor constituents of turpentine, such as anethole, are employed for fragrance or flavour use without the need for chemical modification.

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