描述
Isoprene, also known as 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene or 2-methyldivinyl, is a member of the class of compounds known as branched unsaturated hydrocarbons. Branched unsaturated hydrocarbons are hydrocarbons that contains one or more unsaturated carbon atoms, and an aliphatic branch. Isoprene can be found in carrot, sweet orange, and wild carrot, which makes isoprene a potential biomarker for the consumption of these food products. Isoprene, or 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene, is a common organic compound with the formula CH2=C(CH3)−CH=CH2. In its pure form it is a colorless volatile liquid. Isoprene is produced by many plants, and its polymers are the main component of natural rubber. C. G. Williams named the compound in 1860 after obtaining it from thermal decomposition (pyrolysis) of natural rubber; he correctly deduced the empirical formula C5H8 .