Chloroprene

chloroprene (klōr`əprēn') or 2-chloro-1,3-butadiene, colorless liquid organic compound used in the synthesis of neoprene and certain other rubbers. The structure of the chloroprene molecule is very similar to that of isoprene; the molecule contains two double bonds and is readily polymerized.

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chloroprene [′klȯr·ə‚prēn]

(organic chemistry)

C₄H₅Cl A colorless liquid which polymerizes to chloroprene resin. Also known as chlorobutadiene.

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Chloroprene 

CH₂=CH—CCl=CH₂. Chloroprene, also called 2-chloro-butadiene-1,3, is a colorless liquid with a pungent odor. Chloroprene has a boiling point of 59.4°C and a density of 0.9585 g/cm³ (at 20°C). It is insoluble in water but is soluble in most organic solvents. It attaches halogens and hydrogen halides through double bonds (usually, in the 1,4 position), participates in the diene synthesis reaction, and very readily undergoes polymerization (consequently it is stabilized by the addition of pyrogallol or pyrocatechol).

Chloroprene is produced by the hydrochlorination of vinyl acetylene at 0°–20°C in the presence of cuprous chloride, Cu₂Cl₂, and ammonium chloride. It is used in the production of chloroprene rubber. Chloroprene is toxic, and its maximum permissible concentration in the air is 0.002 mg/liter.