isobutylene

[ ahy-suh-byoot-l-een ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a colorless, very volatile liquid or flammable gas, C 4 H 8 , used chiefly in the manufacture of butyl rubber.

Word History and Origins

Origin of isobutylene¹

First recorded in 1870–75; iso- + butylene

Example Sentences

There are a wide range of chemicals that scientists are concerned about from the East Palestine crash, including vinyl chloride, 2-butoxyethanol, ethylhexyl acrylate, butyl acrylate and isobutylene.

From Salon

If inhaled, isobutylene irritates the lungs; it can also impact the heart and central nervous system.

From Salon

The derailed and burned cars contained dangerous chemicals including butyl acrylate, ethylhexyl acrylate, isobutylene, and especially concerning: vinyl chloride, which NPR describes as "a carcinogen that becomes a gas at room temperature."

From Salon

One car carrying isobutylene, a flammable gas with a petroleum-like odor, did not appear to be breached in the derailment, according to Norfolk Southern.

From New York Times

Exposure to large amounts of the other three chemicals, two of them liquid and one, isobutylene, a flammable gas, is also known to cause headaches, nausea and respiratory problems.

From Washington Post