isoprene

Noun.  (organic compounds) 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.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.