What is "norbornene"

n. (context organic compound English) the polycyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon ''bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene'' derived from norbornane

Norbornene or norbornylene or norcamphene is a bridged cyclic hydrocarbon. It is a white solid with a pungent sour odor. The molecule consists of a cyclohexene ring with a methylene bridge between C-3 and C-6. The molecule carries a double bond which induces significant ring strain and significant reactivity.

Norbornene, like many of its derivatives, is made by a Diels-Alder reaction of cyclopentadiene and ethylene. Related bicyclics are norbornadiene which has the same carbon skeleton but with two double bonds and norbornane which is completely saturated without double bonds.

Norbornene undergoes an acid-catalyzed hydration reaction with water to form norborneol. This reaction is of great interest to chemists studying non-classical ions.