Compounds formally derived from isoprene (2-methylbuta-1,3-diene), the skeleton of which can generally be discerned in repeated occurrence in the molecule. The skeleton of isoprenoids may differ from strict additivity of isoprene units by loss or shift of a fragment, commonly a methyl group. The class includes both hydrocarbons and oxygenated derivatives.
See also: carotenoids, steroids, terpenes, terpenoids, prenols
Source:
PAC, 1995, 67, 1307. 'Glossary of class names of organic compounds and reactivity intermediates based on structure (IUPAC Recommendations 1995)' on page 1345 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199567081307)
See also:
White Book, 2nd ed., p. 255 (https://iupac.qmul.ac.uk/bibliog/white.html)