Plants protect themselves against self-induced air pollutants

Trees and other plants release isoprene into the atmosphere. Oxidation processes result in compounds that are harmful to plants. Researchers at the University of Innsbruck have now uncovered a mechanism by which plants protect ...

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Isoprene

Isoprene (short for isoterpene), or 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene, is a common organic compound with the formula CH2=C(CH3)CH=CH2. Under standard conditions it is a colorless liquid. However, this compound is highly volatile because of its low boiling point.

Isoprene (C5H8) is the monomer of natural rubber and also a common structure motif to an immense variety of other naturally occurring compounds, collectively termed the isoprenoids. Molecular formula of isoprenoids are multiples of isoprene in the form of (C5H8)n, and this is termed the isoprene rule. The functional isoprene units in biological systems are dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMADP) and its isomer isopentenyl diphosphate (IDP).

The singular terms “isoprene” and “terpene” are synonymous whereas the plurals “isoprenes” or “terpenes” refer to terpenoids (isoprenoids).

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