Pine tar is a dark brown to black viscous liquid or semi-solid with a relative density of 1.01–1.06 and a boiling range of 240–400 °C. It is soluble in diethyl ether, ethanol, glacial acetic acid, chloroform, sodium hydroxide solution and essential oils, and slightly soluble in water. It must not be exposed to direct sunlight to prevent explosion. Take care to keep it away from water. Its main constituents are phenol, cresol, methylcresol, o-ethylphenol, guaiacol, turpentine and pine resin, among others, and it is produced by the dry distillation of pine wood. It is used as a wood preservative and rubber plasticiser, and is also employed in the manufacture of oil-impregnated felt, paints and plastics.