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.
Source:
PAC, 1995, 67, 1307
(Glossary of class names of organic compounds and reactivity intermediates based on
structure (IUPAC Recommendations 1995))
on page 1345
See also:
White Book, p. 255