Isoprene

Origin

Coined (1860) by British chemist C. G. Williams, from iso- ("equal; different, isomeric") + prop- ("three carbon prefix") + -ene ("alkene suffix"). A misnomer.

Full definition of isoprene

Noun

1. (organic compound) An unsaturated hydrocarbon, C₅H₈, that is readily polymerized; natural rubber (caoutchouc) is cis-1,4-polyisoprene, and trans-1,4-polyisoprene is present in gutta-percha and balata; it is the structural basis for the terpenes.

Synonyms

• 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene

Anagrams

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