What is the Difference Between Neoprene and Chloroprene

The key difference between neoprene and chloroprene is that neoprene is a polymer, whereas chloroprene is the monomer for neoprene production.

Neoprene is a form of synthetic rubber. Chloroprene is the common name for the compound 2-chlorobuta-1,3-diene, having the chemical formula CH2=CCl−CH=CH2. Neoprene and chloroprene are types of synthetic rubber materials. Neoprene is a polymer made from chloroprene.

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Neoprene
3. What is Chloroprene
4. Relationship – Neoprene and Chloroprene
5. Neoprene vs Chloroprene in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Neoprene vs Chloroprene

What is Neoprene?

Neoprene is a form of synthetic rubber. It is formed as a result of the polymerization of chloroprene. This material has good chemical stability and can maintain its flexibility to a wide temperature range. There are two major ways that people sell this material; solid rubber and latex form.

Moreover, the production method of this material is free-radical polymerization of chloroprene. For the initiation of the production, we need potassium persulfate. First, it forms individual polymer strands. Then, we can crosslink these individual polymer strands using Bi-functional nucleophiles (consisting of two functional groups), metal oxides, and thioureas.

Neoprene and Chloroprene - Side by Side Comparison

Figure 01: Diving Suit Made Using Neoprene

The general applications of neoprene include the production of gaskets, hoses, and corrosion-resistant coatings. In the field of civil engineering, people use it as a load-bearing base, usually between two prefabricated reinforced concrete elements or steel plates. In addition, we can use this material in making protective clothes for aquatic activities. Apart from that, it is useful in the automotive industry for making car seat covers, etc.

What is Chloroprene?

Chloroprene is the common name for the compound 2-chlorobuta-1,3-diene having the chemical formula CH2=CCl−CH=CH2. It is a colorless and volatile liquid that is useful exclusively as a monomer for the production of polychloroprene polymer, which is a type of synthetic rubber. This polymer material is known as neoprene.

Figure 02: The Chloroprene Monomer Chemical Structure

There are three steps helpful in producing chloroprene: chlorination, isomerization of part of the product stream, and dehydrochlorination. However, until 1960, the acetylene process was used to produce this substance. This process included the dimerization of acetylene to get vinyl acetylene which is later combined with hydrogen chloride to get 4-chloro-1,2-butadiene.

What is the Relationship Between Neoprene and Chloroprene?

Neoprene and chloroprene are types of synthetic rubber materials.
Moreover, neoprene is a polymer made from chloroprene.

What is the Difference Between Neoprene and Chloroprene?

Neoprene is a form of synthetic rubber. Chloroprene is the common name for the compound 2-chlorobuta-1,3-diene having the chemical formula CH2=CCl−CH=CH2. The key difference between neoprene and chloroprene is that neoprene is a polymer material, whereas chloroprene is the monomer for neoprene production. Moreover, neoprene is produced from free radical polymerization of chloroprene, whereas chloroprene is produced from the acetylene process or a modern process which involve chlorination, isomerization of part of the product stream, and dehydrochlorination.

The below infographic presents the differences between neoprene and chloroprene in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Neoprene vs Chloroprene

Neoprene and chloroprene are types of synthetic rubber materials. Neoprene is a polymer made from chloroprene. The key difference between neoprene and chloroprene is that neoprene is a polymer material, whereas chloroprene is the monomer for neoprene production.

Reference:

1. “Chloroprene.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Database, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
2. “Neoprene: What Is Neoprene Rubber? Is It Waterpoof? Is It Toxic?” CalTrend, 13 Dec. 2020.
3. “What Is Neoprene Fabric: Properties, How Its Made and Where.” Sewport.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Diving suit neoprene” By Mark.murphy – English Wikipedia (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Chloroprene 2D skeleta” (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia