Rational Design and Synthesis of Efficient Sunscreens To Boost the Solar Protection Factor

Abstract

Skin cancer incidence has been increasing in the last decades, but most of the commercial formulations used as sunscreens are designed to protect only against solar erythema. Many of the active components present in sunscreens show critical weaknesses, such as low stability and toxicity. Thus, the development of more efficient components is an urgent health necessity and an attractive industrial target. We have rationally designed core moieties with increased photoprotective capacities and a new energy dissipation mechanism. Using these scaffolds, we have synthesized a series of compounds with tunable properties suitable for their use in sunscreens, and enhanced properties in terms of stability, light energy dissipation, and toxicity. Moreover, some representative compounds were included in final sunscreen formulations and a relevant solar protection factor boost was measured.

Unravelling the Keto-Enol Tautomer Dependent Photochemistry and Degradation Pathways of the Protonated UVA Filter Avobenzone

“…Such comparative measurements are valuable for gaining a broader understanding of the molecular-level performance of different sunscreen molecules, and may be useful in the context of efforts to develop new sunscreen molecules. 2,95 ■ ASSOCIATED CONTENT…”

Multifunctional Photostable Nanocomplex of ZnO Quantum Dots and Avobenzone via the Promotion of Enolate Tautomer

“…In order to improve the photostability, recently, rational design of a library of new organic UV filters was reported. [21] It is worth mentioning that the physicochemical properties pertaining to the photostability of most organic UV filters are barely understood. [22] As per the current understanding, in most cases the organic filter undergoes photolysis and in some cases phototautomerism was observed, resulting in the degradation of sunscreen performance.…”

“…The photostability of organic UV filters is also crucial. In order to improve the photostability, recently, rational design of a library of new organic UV filters was reported . It is worth mentioning that the physicochemical properties pertaining to the photostability of most organic UV filters are barely understood .…”

A Scalable, Combined-Batch, and Continuous-Flow Synthesis of a Bio-Inspired UV-B Absorber

“…Since their identification, there has been interest in developing these compounds for use as commercial sunscreens. [3,4] These efforts have been hampered by a lack of readily available sustainable sources of material and, more importantly, a lack of hydrolytic and oxidative stability of the parent MAAs. [5,6] In an attempt to address these shortfalls and improve synthetic accessibility, a collaboration between groups at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) developed a series of bio-inspired UVabsorbing compounds.…”