butadiene

American  

[byoo-tuh-dahy-een, -dahy-een] / ˌbyu təˈdaɪ in, -daɪˈin /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a colorless, flammable gas, C 4 H 6 , soluble in alcohol but not in water, usually derived from butane or butene: used chiefly in the manufacture of rubber and paint, and in organic synthesis.

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butadiene British  

/ ˌbjuːtəˈdaɪiːn /

noun

1. Systematic name: buta-1,3-diene.  a colourless easily liquefiable flammable gas that polymerizes readily and is used mainly in the manufacture of synthetic rubbers. Formula: CH 2 :CHCH:CH 2

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butadiene Scientific  

/ byo̅o̅′tə-dī′ēn′ /

1. A colorless, highly flammable hydrocarbon obtained from petroleum and used to make synthetic rubber. Chemical formula: C ₄ H ₆ .

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Etymology

Origin of butadiene

First recorded in 1895–1900; buta(ne) + di- ¹ + -ene

Example Sentences

It manufactured butadiene, a chemical needed to make artificial rubber, because the world’s natural rubber supply was mostly in the hands of the enemy.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

The largest North American processor of the petrochemicals butane and butadiene, plans to continue operations while it restructures, said Chief Executive Edward J. Dineen in a statement.

From Reuters • Jun. 2, 2022

"The TPC plant emitted 61,379 pounds of butadiene in 2018. Butadiene is a known human carcinogen."

From Salon • Nov. 28, 2019

This agreement between observed and predicted rate laws is interpreted to mean that the proposed unimolecular, single-step process is a reasonable mechanism for the butadiene reaction.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

Sadara will use ethane refined by Aramco nearby to make a petrochemical called butadiene to ship world-wide to facilities, likely including its Dutch plant.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 20, 2016