here's what you need to know about isoprene for your higher chemistry exam #QS #higherchem

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[00:00:00]Higher chemists, this one is for you.

[00:00:02]Here are some things you need to know about isoprene. Here is an isoprene molecule. Here they are the units that join together to form molecules known as terpenes. Its molecular formula is C5H8.

[00:00:13]So, if you're asked how many isoprene units are in a terpene, just divide the total number of carbons by five. You also need to know the systematic name is 2-methylbuta-1,3-diene.

[00:00:25]This is because it's got a methyl group on carbon two of a buta-1,3-diene chain where there's two double bonds.

[00:00:32]That's what the diene means. And they're between carbons one and two and three and four. If you're asked to draw an isoprene unit, the easiest way to do it is using what's called skeletal structure. So, if you just draw a zigzag line of four, put the branch up there, and then do your double bonds at either end. That's the easiest way to draw it.

[00:00:51]Skeletal structure is something you learn at advanced higher, but essentially every point where two lines meet or the end of a line is where a carbon is. And it's filled with hydrogens to meet its valency. So, these are the main things that are good to remember about isoprene. Hope that helps.