A process for producing isoprene is provided, which includes continuously
or intermittently supplying isobutylene and/or t-butanol, formaldehyde
and water into an acidic aqueous solution, and reacting the reaction
mixture while distilling away a mixture containing produced isoprene,
water, unreacted starting materials and other low boiling point
components from this reaction mixture to the outside of the reaction
system, wherein the reaction is carried out while controlling the
concentration of high boiling point byproducts, which is produced and
accumulated in the reaction mixture, to fall within the range of 0.5-40
mass %.