Ethylidene norbornene

Ethylidene norbornene (ENB) is an organic compound that consists of an ethylidene (CH3C(H)=) group attached to norbornene.

The compound consists of (E)- and (Z)-stereoisomers, but the mixtures are typically not separated.

It is prepared by isomerization of vinyl norbornene, which in turn is obtained by the Diels-Alder reaction of butadiene and cyclopentadiene.

[1] It is a monomer that used in the production of the commercial polymer EPDM.

The exocyclic double bond (the ethylidene group) undergoes sulfur vulcanization.

Ethylidene norbornene can be produced in two steps from cyclopentadiene .