isoprene

[ ahy-suh-preen ]
/ ˈaɪ səˌprin /

noun Chemistry.

a colorless, volatile, water-insoluble liquid, C5H8, of the terpene class, usually obtained from rubber or from oil of turpentine by pyrolysis: used chiefly in the manufacture of synthetic rubber by polymerization.

Origin of isoprene

1855–60; iso- + -pr- (< ?) + -ene; see terpene

Example sentences from the Web for isoprene

British Dictionary definitions for isoprene

isoprene
/ (ˈaɪsəʊˌpriːn) /

noun

a colourless volatile liquid with a penetrating odour: used in making synthetic rubbers. Formula: CH 2 :CHC(CH 3):CH 2 Systematic name: methylbuta-1,3-diene

Word Origin for isoprene

C20: from iso- + pr ( opyl) + -ene

Medical definitions for isoprene

isoprene
[ īsə-prēn′ ]

n.

A colorless volatile hydrocarbon that is the naturally occurring basis of isoprenoids and that is used in the production of synthetic rubber.

Scientific definitions for isoprene

isoprene
[ īsə-prēn′ ]

A colorless, volatile liquid obtained from petroleum or coal tar and occurring naturally in many plants. It is used chiefly to make synthetic rubber. The isoprene in plants occurs in the chloroplasts and is used to build terpenes and other biologically important chemicals. Chemical formula: C5H8.