Difference Between Methylated Spirits and Mineral Turpentine

The key difference between methylated spirits and mineral turpentine is that methylated spirits have a violet colour while mineral turpentine is a clear liquid.

Methylated spirit and mineral turpentine are two important types of solvents. These are organic solvents, and their compositions and applications are different from each other.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What are Methylated Spirits 
3. What is Mineral Turpentine
4. Side by Side Comparison – Methylated Spirits vs Mineral Turpentine in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What are Methylated Spirits?

Methylated spirits are alcohol for general use that has been made unfit for drinking by the addition of about 10 per cent methanol and typically also some pyridine and a violet dye. Therefore, we also call it denatured alcohol. It is ethyl alcohol mixed with other chemical substances, including chemicals like methanol, methyl isobutyl ketone, and benzene. Since it is highly toxic due to the addition of toxic substances such as methanol, this liquid is not suitable for human consumption.

Moreover, the methylated spirit is a colourless solution. These solutions are often coloured by adding aniline to easily recognize it. Then it appears in violet colour. The presence of ethyl alcohol and methanol makes methylated spirits toxic, extremely flammable and volatile. It can be absorbed through the skin due to the presence of methanol. Therefore, we should not use this liquid to make perfumes or bath products. Besides, it has a bad odour and a poor taste as well.

Figure 02: Methylated Spirits

Methylated spirit is important as a solvent, hand sanitizers, cosmetics, and as fuel for heating and lighting, etc. Colourless form of this liquid can also be used to kill mildew on leather surfaces. Also, we can use it as a solvent for dissolving compounds like glue, wax, and grease. As it does not react with glass, we can also use it for window cleaning. Although it is not good for human consumption, it is still important in cosmetic production due to its antibacterial activity.

What is Mineral Turpentine?

Mineral turpentine is a clear liquid derived from petroleum, and it is important as a solvent for paints. A synonym for this liquid is white spirit. It is an organic solvent. When considering the composition of this spirit, it is a mixture of aliphatic, open-chain or alicyclic hydrocarbon compounds. This liquid is, hence, water-insoluble.

Figure 02: Mineral Turpentine

The applications of this spirit include use as an extraction solvent, as a cleaning solvent, as a degreasing solvent, as a solvent in aerosols, paints, wood preservatives, etc. Furthermore, this spirit shows fairly low acute toxicity and is classified as an irritant.

What is the Difference Between Methylated Spirits and Mineral Turpentine?

Methylated spirit and mineral turpentine are two important types of solvents. The key difference between methylated spirits and mineral turpentine is that the methylated spirits are in violet colour, while the mineral turpentine is a clear liquid. Furthermore, the methylated spirits contain ethyl alcohol mixed with other chemical substances including chemicals like methanol, methyl isobutyl ketone, and benzene, while the mineral turpentine contains a mixture of aliphatic, open-chain or alicyclic hydrocarbon compounds.

In addition to these, the methylated spirits are miscible with water, while the mineral turpentine is insoluble because it is a mixture of hydrocarbon compounds. Moreover, methylated spirits are toxic, while the mineral turpentine shows fairly low acute toxicity.

Summary – Methylated Spirits vs Mineral Turpentine

Methylated spirit and mineral turpentine are two important types of solvents. These are organic solvents, but their compositions and applications are different from each other. The key difference between methylated spirits and mineral turpentine is that the methylated spirits appear in violet colour, while the mineral turpentine appears as a clear liquid.

Reference:

1. Dasgupta, Amitava, and Amer Wahed. “Testing for Ethyl Alcohol (Alcohol) and Other Volatiles.” Clinical Chemistry, Immunology and Laboratory Quality Control, 2014, pp. 317–335., doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-407821-5.00018-8.
2. “White Spirit.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 19 Sept. 2019, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Denaturat” By Hiuppo – Own work (CC BY-SA 2.5) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “White spirit” By Sweetie candykim – Own work (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia

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