Question
How does the presence of double bonds in rubber molecules influence their structure and reactivity?
Solution
From the structural point of view, the natural rubber is a linear cis-1, 4-polyisoprene. In this polymer the double bonds are located between C2 and C3 of isoprene units. This cis-configuration about double bonds do not allow the chains to come closer for effective attraction due to weak intermolecular attractions. Hence, the natural rubber has a coiled structure and shows elasticity.
