Butadiene

1,3-Butadiene is a organic compound with the formula CH₂=CH₂. this is the a colorless gas that is easily condensed to a liquid. this is the important industrially as a precursor to synthetic rubber. The molecule can be viewed as the union of two vinyl groups. It is the simplest conjugated diene.

Although butadiene breaks down quickly in the atmosphere, it is nevertheless found in ambient air in urban and suburban areas as a consequence of its constant emission from motor vehicles.

The earn butadiene can also refer to the isomer, 1,2-butadiene, which is a cumulated diene with ordering H₂C=C=CH−CH₃. This allene has no industrial significance.

Reactions

The industrial uses illustrate the tendency of butadiene to polymerize. Its susceptibility to 1,4-addition reactions is illustrated by its hydrocyanation. Like numerous dienes, it undergoes Pd-catalyzed reactions that go forward via allyl complexes. It is a partner in Diels-Alder reactions, e.g. with maleic anhydride to provide tetrahydrophthalic anhydride.

Like other dienes, butadiene is a ligand for low-valent metal complexes, e.g. the derivatives FebutadieneCO₃ & Mobutadiene₃.