isoprene
noun
iso·prene
ˈī-sə-ˌprēn 
: a flammable liquid unsaturated hydrocarbon C5H8 used especially in synthetic rubber
Examples of isoprene in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Trees emit natural volatiles like isoprene and monoterpenes, which can spark cloud-forming chemical reactions.
—
WIRED, 29 Sep. 2023
As for the isoprene, this is believed to be released by muscle activity - perhaps the isoprene peaks reflects people moving or 'fidgeting' in tension.
—Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 12 May 2016
The mountains get their distinctive dark blue hue from the presence of the chemical isoprene found in many regional plants.
—Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2022
Ozone alters the biogenic volatile organic compounds that are emitted by plants, everything from isoprene to terpenes.
—Jim Robbins, Wired, 16 Oct. 2021
Trees in the facility that produce a chemical called isoprene, which seems to help plants photosynthesize at high temperatures, survived better than those that don’t—a shift whose full implications are still being worked out.
—Gabriel Popkin, National Geographic, 19 Nov. 2020
The scientists detected chemicals contained in our breath as well, including acetone and isoprene, plus compounds that are produced when ozone reacts with the oil on our skin.
—Emily Anthes, Scientific American, 1 June 2020
Rubber is also considered plastic, both natural (isoprene) and synthetic (styrene butadiene).
—Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2019
In 2017, for instance, researchers led by the University of Minnesota found a way to produce isoprene, a key ingredient in synthetic rubber, out of natural sources such as grass, trees and corn instead of fossil fuels.
—Hannah Whitaker, National Geographic, 20 Sep. 2019
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WIRED, 29 Sep. 2023
As for the isoprene, this is believed to be released by muscle activity - perhaps the isoprene peaks reflects people moving or 'fidgeting' in tension.
—Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 12 May 2016
The mountains get their distinctive dark blue hue from the presence of the chemical isoprene found in many regional plants.
—Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2022
Ozone alters the biogenic volatile organic compounds that are emitted by plants, everything from isoprene to terpenes.
—Jim Robbins, Wired, 16 Oct. 2021
Trees in the facility that produce a chemical called isoprene, which seems to help plants photosynthesize at high temperatures, survived better than those that don’t—a shift whose full implications are still being worked out.
—Gabriel Popkin, National Geographic, 19 Nov. 2020
The scientists detected chemicals contained in our breath as well, including acetone and isoprene, plus compounds that are produced when ozone reacts with the oil on our skin.
—Emily Anthes, Scientific American, 1 June 2020
Rubber is also considered plastic, both natural (isoprene) and synthetic (styrene butadiene).
—Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2019
In 2017, for instance, researchers led by the University of Minnesota found a way to produce isoprene, a key ingredient in synthetic rubber, out of natural sources such as grass, trees and corn instead of fossil fuels.
—Hannah Whitaker, National Geographic, 20 Sep. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Isoprene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/isoprene. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
isoprene
noun
iso·prene
ˈī-sə-ˌprēn
: a compound used especially in making synthetic rubber
Medical Definition
isoprene
noun
iso·prene
ˈī-sə-ˌprēn
: a flammable liquid unsaturated hydrocarbon C5H8 used especially in synthetic rubber
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