Question

Locate the isoprene units in biformene, a component of amber, and classify biformene as a monoterpene, sesquiterpene etc.

Short answer

Answer

Step-by-step solution

Step-by-Step SolutionStep 1: Isoprene

Isoprene units come under the category of unsaturated hydrocarbons. It comprises five carbon atoms possessing double bonds. Carotene is an example of an isoprenoid.

Biformene

Biformene is a kind of terpene comprising the molecular formula ${\mathbf{C}}_{\mathbf{20}}{\mathbf{H}}_{\mathbf{32}}$ . It is a natural product found in the flower Helianthus decapetalus.

Locating the isoprene units in biformene

The skeletal structure of biformene can be given as:

Skeletal structure of biformene

Terpenes comprise repeating five-carbon units termed isoprene units. Each isoprene unit comprises five carbon atoms, four carbons in a row, and one-carbon branch on a middle carbon.

Isoprene units of biformene