Neoprene (CAS NO.9010-98-4) was invented by DuPont scientists on 17th April 1930 after Dr. Elmer K. Bolton of DuPont laboratories attended a lecture by Fr. Julius Arthur Nieuwland, a professor of chemistry at the University of Notre Dame. After DuPont purchased the patent rights from the university, Wallace Carothers of DuPont took over commercial development of Nieuwland's discovery in collaboration with Nieuwland himself.  Neoprene (originally called duprene) was the first mass-produced synthetic rubber compound.

NTP 10th Report on Carcinogens. IARC Cancer Review: Group 3 IMEMDT    IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Man . 7 ,1987,p. 160 ; Animal Inadequate Evidence IMEMDT    IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Man . 19 ,1979,p. 131 ; Human Inadequate Evidence IMEMDT    IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Man . 19 ,1979,p. 131. Reported in EPA TSCA Inventory. Community Right-To-Know List.

OSHA PEL: TWA 10 ppm (skin)
ACGIH TLV: TWA 10 ppm (skin)
DFG MAK: Animal Carcinogen, Suspected Human Carcinogen
NIOSH REL: CL (Chloroprene) 1 ppm/15M
DOT Classification:  3; Label: Flammable Liquid, Poison (UN 1991); DOT Class: Forbidden

For occupational chemical analysis use NIOSH: Chloroprene, 1002.

The Neoprene, with the CAS registry number 9010-98-4, is also known as Poly(2-chloro-1,3-butadiene). This chemical's molecular formula is (C₄H₅Cl)_x. It belongs to the product categories of Polychloroprene; Polymers; Dienes; Hydrophobic Polymers; Polymer Science. This chemical's classification codes are TSCA Flag XU [Exempt from reporting under the Inventory Update Rule]; Tumor Data. Neoprene or polychloroprene is a family of synthetic rubbers that are produced by polymerization of chloroprene. A foamed neoprene containing gas cells is used as an insulation material, most notably in wetsuits. Foamed neoprene is also used in other insulation and shock-protection (packing) applications.

Neoprene's chemical inertness makes it well suited for industrial applications such as gaskets, hoses, and corrosion-resistant coatings. It can be used as a base for adhesives, noise isolation in power transformer installations, and as padding in external metal cases to protect the contents while allowing a snug fit. Neoprene is commonly used as a material for fly fishing waders, as it provides excellent insulation against cold. Recently, neoprene has become a favorite material for lifestyle and other home accessories including laptop sleeves, iPod holders, remote controls and cycling chamois. In this market, it sometimes competes with LRPu (low-resilience polyurethane), which is a sturdier (more impact-resistant) but less-used material. Neoprene is used for Halloween masks and masks used for face protection, for insulating CPU sockets, to make waterproof automotive seat covers, in liquid and sheet-applied elastomeric roof membranes or flashings, and in a neoprene-spandex mixture for manufacture of wheelchair positioning harnesses.