Question

How does the presence of double bonds in rubber molecules influence their structure and reactivity?

Answer 1

Natural rubber is a linear. It is cis-$1,4$- polyisoprene. The double bonds are located between $C_2$ and $C_3$ 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.