butadiene [key], colorless, gaseous hydrocarbon. There are two structural isomers of butadiene; they differ in the location of the two carbon-carbon double bonds in the butadiene molecule. One (1,2-butadiene) has the formula CH2:C:CHCH3. The other (1,3-butadiene), often called simply butadiene, has the formula CH2:CHCH:CH2; it is used in the manufacture of synthetic rubber, latex paints, and nylon and is obtained chiefly by dehydrogenation of butane and butene obtained by cracking petroleum. Chloroprene and isoprene are the 2-chloro- and 2-methyl-derivatives of 1,3-butadiene; they also are used in the synthesis of rubber.
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