Terpenes
in chemistry, a term applied to a series of hydrocarbons having the generic formula CnH2n- 4. They may be all classed under two heads, two heads , those produced by synthetical means, as valylene, C₅H₆, and carpene, C₉H₁₄; and , C₂H14; and those formed in plants, as the turpentines, C₁₀H₁₆. With the exception of the last, the terpenes have been very incompletely investigated. They are colorless or yellowish liquids, are insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohol, ether, chloroform, benzine, and in the fixed and volatile oils.