• Isoprene (2-methyl-1,3-butadiene) is
emitted by plants (3 x 1011 kg /yr) into the atmosphere.
• Terpenes are not actually formed in plants from
isoprene, but this is a useful way to simplify
the examination of such structures.
• Monoterpenes
have 2 isoprene units.
Sesquiterpenes
have 3 isoprene units.