A flammable chemical compound with four carbon atoms used primarily in making synthetic rubber and plastics.
From 'butyl' (four-carbon chain) combined with 'diene,' meaning two double bonds between carbons. It was named in the early 20th century by organic chemists identifying its structure.
Butadiene was the chemical that saved the Allies in WWII—Nazi Germany controlled natural rubber sources, so American chemists perfected synthetic rubber from butadiene to keep tanks rolling.
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