Difference between revisions of "Thymol"

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== Description ==
 
== Description ==
  
White, strong smelling crystals. Thymol was first isolated by Neumann in 1719. It occurs naturally in [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=ajowan oil ajowan oil], horsemint oil, [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=eucalyptus oil eucalyptus oil], and as an extract from thyme plants. Thymol is an [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=disinfectant disinfectant] and [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=fungicide fungicide] that has been used to prevent [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=mold (fungus) mold] and [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=mildew mildew] in [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=tempera tempera paint], [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=gesso gesso], [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=leather leather], [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=fur furs], [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=paper paper], and [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=parchment parchment]. It has also been used as a fumigant by heating the crystals. in a sealed cabinet with a low-wattage [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=incandescent lamp incandescent lightbulb]. Thymol is no longer recommended for use because it dissolves [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=oil paint oil paint], [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=varnish varnishes], and some printing inks. It yellows with age and may discolor or [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=tarnish tarnish] photographs.
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White, strong smelling crystals. Thymol was first isolated by Neumann in 1719. It occurs naturally in [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=ajowan%20oil ajowan oil], horsemint oil, [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=eucalyptus%20oil eucalyptus oil], and as an extract from thyme plants. Thymol is an [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=disinfectant disinfectant] and [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=fungicide fungicide] that has been used to prevent [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=mold%20%28fungus%29 mold] and [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=mildew mildew] in [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=tempera tempera paint], [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=gesso gesso], [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=leather leather], [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=fur furs], [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=paper paper], and [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=parchment parchment]. It has also been used as a fumigant by heating the crystals. in a sealed cabinet with a low-wattage [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=incandescent%20lamp incandescent lightbulb]. Thymol is no longer recommended for use because it dissolves [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=oil%20paint oil paint], [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=varnish varnishes], and some printing inks. It yellows with age and may discolor or [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=tarnish tarnish] photographs.
  
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
Line 47: Line 47:
 
== Additional Information ==
 
== Additional Information ==
  
V.Daniels, B.Boyd, "The Yellowing of Thymol in the Display of Prints" ''Studies in Conservation'' 31:156-158, 1986. L. Goldberg, A History Of Pest Control Measures In The Anthropology Collections, National Museum Of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, ''JAIC'' (35):23-43, 1996
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° V.Daniels, B.Boyd, "The Yellowing of Thymol in the Display of Prints" ''Studies in Conservation'' 31:156-158, 1986. ° L. Goldberg, A History Of Pest Control Measures In The Anthropology Collections, National Museum Of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, ''JAIC'' (35):23-43, 1996
  
 
== Authority ==
 
== Authority ==
  
* Random House, Random House, ''Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language'', Grammercy Book, New York, 1997
+
* Random House, ''Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language'', Grammercy Book, New York, 1997
  
 
* ''The American Heritage Dictionary'' or ''Encarta'', via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998
 
* ''The American Heritage Dictionary'' or ''Encarta'', via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998
  
* G.S.Brady, G.S.Brady, ''Materials Handbook'', McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971  Comment: p. 22
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* G.S.Brady, ''Materials Handbook'', McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971  Comment: p. 22
  
* Richard S. Lewis, Richard S. Lewis, ''Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary'', Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993
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* Richard S. Lewis, ''Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary'', Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993
  
 
* ''The Merck Index'', Martha Windholz (ed.), Merck Research Labs, Rahway NJ, 10th edition, 1983  Comment: entry 9540
 
* ''The Merck Index'', Martha Windholz (ed.), Merck Research Labs, Rahway NJ, 10th edition, 1983  Comment: entry 9540
  
* Marjorie Shelley, Marjorie Shelley, ''The Care and Handling of Art Objects'', The Metropolitan Museum, New York, 1987
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* Marjorie Shelley, ''The Care and Handling of Art Objects'', The Metropolitan Museum, New York, 1987
  
* Hermann Kuhn, Hermann Kuhn, ''Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art and Antiquities'', Butterworths, London, 1986
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* Hermann Kuhn, ''Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art and Antiquities'', Butterworths, London, 1986
  
* Michael McCann, Michael McCann, ''Artist Beware'', Watson-Guptill Publications, New York City, 1979
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* Michael McCann, ''Artist Beware'', Watson-Guptill Publications, New York City, 1979
  
* George Savage, George Savage, ''Art and Antique Restorer's Handbook'', Rockliff Publishing Corp, London, 1954
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* George Savage, ''Art and Antique Restorer's Handbook'', Rockliff Publishing Corp, London, 1954
  
* Pam Hatchfield, Pam Hatchfield, ''Pollutants in the Museum Environment'', Archetype Press, London, 2002
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* Pam Hatchfield, ''Pollutants in the Museum Environment'', Archetype Press, London, 2002
  
* G.Caneva, M.P.Nugari, O.Salvadori, G.Caneva, M.P.Nugari, O.Salvadori, ''Biology in the Conservation of Works of Art'', ICCROM, Rome, 1991
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* G.Caneva, M.P.Nugari, O.Salvadori, ''Biology in the Conservation of Works of Art'', ICCROM, Rome, 1991
  
* Book and Paper Group, Book and Paper Group, ''Paper Conservation Catalog'', AIC, 1984, 1989
+
* Book and Paper Group, ''Paper Conservation Catalog'', AIC, 1984, 1989
  
* Marie Svoboda, Marie Svoboda, Conservation Survey Index, unpublished, 1997
+
* Marie Svoboda, Conservation Survey Index, unpublished, 1997
  
* Teri Hensick, Teri Hensick, contributed information, 1998
+
* Teri Hensick, contributed information, 1998
  
  
  
 
[[Category:Materials database]]
 
[[Category:Materials database]]

Revision as of 06:25, 24 July 2013

Description

White, strong smelling crystals. Thymol was first isolated by Neumann in 1719. It occurs naturally in ajowan oil, horsemint oil, eucalyptus oil, and as an extract from thyme plants. Thymol is an disinfectant and fungicide that has been used to prevent mold and mildew in tempera paint, gesso, leather, furs, paper, and parchment. It has also been used as a fumigant by heating the crystals. in a sealed cabinet with a low-wattage incandescent lightbulb. Thymol is no longer recommended for use because it dissolves oil paint, varnishes, and some printing inks. It yellows with age and may discolor or tarnish photographs.

Synonyms and Related Terms

isopropyl-m-cresol; 5-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)phenol; m-thymol; thyme camphor; thymic acid; 3-hydroxy-1-methyl-4-isopropyl benzene; isopropyl-cresol; 2-isopropyl-5-methyl phenol; 3-hydroxy-p-cymene; timol (Esp.)

Chemical structure

Thymol.jpg


Other Properties

Soluble in ethanol, carbon disulfide, chloroform, glacial acetic acid, ether. Slightly soluble in water, glycerol.

Composition (CH3)2CHC6H3(CH3)OH
CAS 89-83-8
Melting Point 48-51
Density 0.970-0.979
Molecular Weight mol. wt. = 150.22
Refractive Index 1.5204
Boiling Point 233

Hazards and Safety

Toxic by inhalation or ingestion. LD50 = 980 mg/kg. Skin contact can cause irritation. Combustible.

Thymol dissolves oil paint, varnishes, and some printing inks. May stain photographs and discolor paper.

Mallinckrodt Baker: MSDS

Additional Information

° V.Daniels, B.Boyd, "The Yellowing of Thymol in the Display of Prints" Studies in Conservation 31:156-158, 1986. ° L. Goldberg, A History Of Pest Control Measures In The Anthropology Collections, National Museum Of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, JAIC (35):23-43, 1996

Authority

  • Random House, Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Grammercy Book, New York, 1997
  • The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998
  • G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 22
  • Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993
  • The Merck Index, Martha Windholz (ed.), Merck Research Labs, Rahway NJ, 10th edition, 1983 Comment: entry 9540
  • Marjorie Shelley, The Care and Handling of Art Objects, The Metropolitan Museum, New York, 1987
  • Hermann Kuhn, Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art and Antiquities, Butterworths, London, 1986
  • Michael McCann, Artist Beware, Watson-Guptill Publications, New York City, 1979
  • George Savage, Art and Antique Restorer's Handbook, Rockliff Publishing Corp, London, 1954
  • Pam Hatchfield, Pollutants in the Museum Environment, Archetype Press, London, 2002
  • G.Caneva, M.P.Nugari, O.Salvadori, Biology in the Conservation of Works of Art, ICCROM, Rome, 1991
  • Book and Paper Group, Paper Conservation Catalog, AIC, 1984, 1989
  • Marie Svoboda, Conservation Survey Index, unpublished, 1997
  • Teri Hensick, contributed information, 1998

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