Turpentine is obtained from?

Turpentine is a volatile, flammable liquid obtained primarily from the resin of pine trees (genus Pinus). It is classified as a natural organic solvent and is widely used in industries, laboratories, and art applications. The resin is collected by making small incisions in the bark of pine trees, allowing the resin to flow out. This raw resin is then distilled to separate turpentine oil from rosin, which is a solid residue left after distillation.

Chemically, turpentine is composed mainly of terpenes, particularly α-pinene and β-pinene, which are hydrocarbons with characteristic strong odors. These compounds make turpentine a useful solvent for paints, varnishes, and lacquers, as well as a raw material in the synthesis of other chemicals like camphor and synthetic pine oils.

Turpentine also has historical importance in traditional medicine and was once used as a topical antiseptic and rubefacient. Today, its primary applications are industrial, including use in paints, coatings, and cleaning products. The collection of turpentine is environmentally sustainable when proper resin tapping techniques are employed, allowing trees to continue growing while producing valuable resin.

Other tree options in the question are incorrect. Oak, birch, and lemon trees do not produce turpentine; their resins and oils have entirely different chemical compositions and uses.

In summary, turpentine is obtained from pine trees, and its main components are organic terpenes. It is an important natural solvent with applications in industry, chemistry, and art, demonstrating how plant-derived products play a key role in everyday science and chemical processes. Understanding its source and uses helps students connect organic chemistry concepts with real-life applications.