Regarding natural rubber and its geometric isomer gutta-percha, which of the following statements ar — Polymers Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Both are addition homopolymers of isoprene. Natural rubber is all-*cis*. Gutta-percha is all-*trans*, highly crystalline, and non-elastic (used in root canals). Since the repeating unit of polyisoprene is $[-CH_2-C(CH_3)=CH-CH_2-]$, cleavage of the double bond by ozone yields 4-oxopentanal ($CH_3-CO-CH_2-CH_2-CHO$).