POLI ISOPRENA

A. Name Polymer and Chemical Structure

Isoprene, or 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene, is a common organic compound with the formula

CH2=C(CH3)−CH=CH2. In its pure form it is a colorless volatile liquid. Isoprene is produced by
many plants, and its polymers are the main component of natural rubber. C. G. Williams named
the compound in 1860 after obtaining it from thermal decomposition (pyrolysis) of natural rubber;
he correctly deduced the empirical formula C5H8.

Polyisoprene is a combined unit of C5H8 hydrocarbon monomer (isoprene) that form long and
very numerous chains. Natural rubber is a macro molecule of polyisoprene that combines with the
head to tail bond. The configuration of this polymer is a "cis" configuration with a regular
arrangement of spaces, so the formula of the rubber arrangement is 1.4 cis polyisoprene. The
composition of space made of rubber has a chewy nature. As the wake reference of isoprene and
cis 1,4 polyisoprene can be seen below:

Picture 1. Chemical Stucture of PolyIsoprene

B. Properties
 Natural rubber (Polyisoprene) has the following characteristics: Good elasticity, Easy
processing, Not easy to wear (not easy to run out because of friction), Not easy to heat. While the
properties of natural rubber are as follows: Resistant to low temperature, Can be attached to metal,
Has high friction and tear resistance, Easy to process or produce, Hardness can be arranged from
very soft to very hard (ebonite), Appearance and adjustable colors range from transparent to solid
black, Ability to isolate electricity or be conductive, Absorbs or absorbs vibration and sound

C. Polymerization
The polymer forming reaction of the monomer is called the polymerization reaction. The
polymerization reaction is divided into two types, namely: Polymerization addition, the addition
polymerization generally occurs in monomers having double bonds. Generally the monomers
reacted in the addition polymerization are the alkene compounds and their derivatives. From the
addition polymerization reaction the resulting addition polymer is added as a single product.

Picture 2. Synthesize of PolyIsoprene

D. Application

Some usability or application like the following: Rubber gaskets and rubber seals, Rubber
hoses, Anti vibration rubber / anti vibrating rubber, Rubber for equipment or electrical
components, Wheel chock, Rubber floor carpet.

Picture 3. Application of PolyIsoprene