Isoprene

Isoprene is a colorless, volatile liquid with a characteristic chloroform-like odor; it has a boiling point of 34 °C and a melting point of −73 °C. It is a conjugated diene and classified as an aliphatic organic chemical and key monomeric intermediate. Industrially, isoprene is primarily polymerized to produce synthetic cis-1,4-polyisoprene (synthetic natural rubber) and used in the production of butyl rubber, thermoplastic elastomers, and specialty rubbers. Its principal application areas include tire manufacturing, medical devices, adhesives, and technical rubber goods.

The majority of isoprene produced commercially is used to make synthetic rubber (cis-polyisoprene), most of which is used to produce vehicle tires. The second- and third-largest uses are in the production of styrene-isoprene-styrene block polymers and butyl rubber (isobutene-isoprene copolymer) (IARC 1994).
Isoprene is the monomeric unit of polyisoprene. The structure of this molecule is very similar to that of butadiene, with a simple methyl substitution differentiating the two. Although it is mainly used in the production of polyisoprene, isoprene is also used in styrene-based polymers and in butyl rubber. At room temperature it is a clear, colorless liquid with a faint odor; it is insoluble in water but soluble in acetone and other organic solvents. Unlike the chemically similar butadiene, isoprene is found in abundance in nature; for example, it is a component of natural terpenes and also is expired by plants and humans.

This chemical is included in Rubber. See more about what is Isoprene and Isoprene SDS information.

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