Question

Locate the isoprene units in each compound.

a

b.

Short answer

Answer

a.

b.

Step-by-step solution

Isoprene units

Isoprene units are a carbon chain containing five carbon atoms and C-C double bonds. One isoprene unit has a formula CH₂ = C(CH₃)-CH=CH₂.

For example, diterpenoids have four isoprene units.

Isoprene units in α-pineme

A $\mathrm{\alpha }-\mathrm{pineme}$is a monoterpene having two isoprene units and is shown as:

Isoprene units in$\mathrm{\alpha }-\mathrm{pineme}$

Isoprene units in humulene.

A humulene is a sesquiterpene having three isoprene units and is shown as:

Isoprene units in humulene