isoprene
Natural rubber monomer
Isoprene is a volatile organic compound that forms the basic structural unit of natural rubber and many other biological molecules.
Plants emit isoprene in large quantities, contributing to atmospheric chemistry and the haze over forested areas.
Synthetic isoprene is used to manufacture rubber and other polymers.
Volatile petroleum-derived solvent
- crackingBreaking without separating completely
- butadieneConjugated four-carbon diene
- refineryIndustrial purification facility
- feedstockUnprocessed manufacturing input
extraction · distillation · petroleum · hydrocarbon · propylene · ethylene
Hydrocarbon plant compounds
- carotenoidsFat-soluble plant pigments
- pathwayDesignated route for travel
- precursorSomething that comes first
- enzymesReaction-speeding proteins
metabolism · volatile · chloroplasts · plastids · squalene
Monomers bonding into chains
- butadieneConjugated four-carbon diene
- dieneTwo C=C bonds present
- conjugatedGiven grammatical endings
- unsaturatedNot fully saturated
Milky plant-derived polymer
- polyisopreneElastic hydrocarbon polymer
- vulcanizationChemically strengthening raw rubber
- elasticityTendency to resume original form
- Hevea brasiliensisBotanical term for latex-producing tree
rubber tree · tapping · tires · elastomer · balata · natural rubber · plantation · sap
naphtha
Volatile petroleum-derived solvent
- crackingBreaking without separating completely
- butadieneConjugated four-carbon diene
- refineryIndustrial purification facility
feedstock · extraction · distillation · petroleum · hydrocarbon · propylene · ethylene
terpenes
Hydrocarbon plant compounds
- carotenoidsFat-soluble plant pigments
- pathwayDesignated route for travel
- precursorSomething that comes first
enzymes · metabolism · volatile · chloroplasts · plastids · squalene
polymerization
Monomers bonding into chains
- butadieneConjugated four-carbon diene
- dieneTwo C=C bonds present
- conjugatedGiven grammatical endings
latex
Milky plant-derived polymer
- polyisopreneElastic hydrocarbon polymer
- vulcanizationChemically strengthening raw rubber
- elasticityTendency to resume original form
Hevea brasiliensis · rubber tree · tapping · tires · elastomer · balata · natural rubber · plantation · sap · rubber bands
- organic compoundshydrocarbon, alcohol, alkane, ethane, propane
- Elastomersnatural rubber, synthetic rubber, silicone rubber, neoprene, latex
- Hemiterpenes
- monomersmonomer, ethylene, styrene, propylene, vinyl chloride
- Nonpolarhexane, octane, benzene, toluene, methane
- pyrolysis productscharcoal, char, wood tar, pine tar, tar
isoprenepolyisoprene
Elastic hydrocarbon polymer
natural rubber · synthetic rubber · latex · polymer · rubber