Question

How does the presence of double bonds in rubber molecules influence their

structure and reactivity?

Answer 1

Natural rubber is a linear cis-polyisoprene in which the double bonds are present between C₂ and C₃ of the isoprene units.

Because of this cis-configuration, intermolecular interactions between the various strands of isoprene are quite weak. As a result, various strands in natural rubber are arranged randomly. Hence, it shows elasticity.