The main source of isobutene is through catalytic cracking of petroleum oil. However, isobutene has been isolated from a microbe, Rhodotorula minuta , on a laboratory scale [1]. Isobutene is converted into a variety of chemicals that are used in gasoline production. For example, it can be reacted with ethanol or methanol to generate ETBE or MTBE respectively. These additives function as oxygenates and octane enhancers. If isobutene undergoes an alkylation reaction with n -butane, isooctane is generated. Isooctane is the gold standard for gasoline.  Additionally, if isobutene is polymerized, it generates synthetic rubber.

[1] Fukuda, H., Fujii, T., Sukita, E., Tazaki, M., Nagahama, S., Ogawa, T., 1994, Biochem Biophys Res Commun 201, 516-522.