Turpentine is a fluid obtained by the distillation of resin obtained from trees, mainly pine trees. It is composed of terpenes, mainly the monoterpenes alpha-pinene and beta-pinene. It is sometimes known colloquially as turps, but this more often refers to turpentine substitute or mineral turpentine. Turpentine also called spirit of turpentine, oil of turpentine, and wood turpentine.
Turpentine is an organic solvent. Its vapor 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. It also poses a fire hazard since it is flammable
In the industrial world's primary uses of turpentine is as a solvent and source of materials for organic synthetic.
As a solvent, turpentine is used for thinning oil-based paints, for producing varnishes, and as a raw material for the chemical industry. For usage in large industries, used turpentine as a solvent has been replaced with mineral turpentine which has a cheaper price. Mineral turpentine is distilled from crude oil.
Turpentine is also used as a source of raw materials in the synthesis of fragrant chemical compounds such as camphor, is also added to many cleaning and sanitary products because of its antiseptic and "clean scent".