Locate the isoprene units in each compound.

a.

b.

c.

d.

Terpenes constitute lipids comprising five-carbon units termed isoprene units. They comprise hydrocarbons possessing one or several rings or are acyclic.

Terpenoids are compounds comprising isoprene units and an oxygen atom. An example of a terpenoid is myrcene.

The isoprene units can be identified by beginning at one end of the molecule’s end, adjacent to the branch point. Then identify the four-carbon chain comprising a one-carbon branch. An isoprene unit can only comprise sigma bonds or include pi bonds at any position.

Every isoprene unit comprises five carbon atoms.

a. The molecule geraniol comprises two isoprene units. The isoprene units of geraniol are given in bold as:

Isoprene units of geraniol

b. The molecule vitamin A comprises four isoprene units. The isoprene units of vitamin A are given in bold as:

Isoprene units of Vitamin A

c. The molecule grandisol comprises two isoprene units. The isoprene units of grandisol are given in bold as:

d. The molecule camphor comprises two isoprene units. The isoprene units of camphor are given in bold as:

Isoprene units of camphor