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The Photochemistry of Sunscreens
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Abstract
Many of us use commercially available sunscreens to protect us from sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer, but what is the chemistry behind their function? This article describes how light energy interacts with molecules to produce excited states, the behavior of those excited states, the particular pathways that result in ultraviolet protection, and the relationship between concentration and absorption. Structures of substances used in sunscreen preparations and their accompanying regions of UV-absorption are provided. A brief discussion of the "Sun Protection Factor" or SPF that appears on the labels of sunscreen preparations is also included.
Keywords (Audience):
General PublicKeywords (Feature):
Applications and AnalogiesKeywords (Subject):
PhotochemistryCiting Articles
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This article has been cited by 6 ACS Journal articles (5 most recent appear below).
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An Introduction to UV-Vis Spectroscopy Using Sunscreens
Harriet P. Moeur , Andrew Zanella and Thomas PoonJournal of Chemical Education2006 83 (5), 769An Introduction to UV-Vis Spectroscopy Using Sunscreens
Harriet P. Moeur , Andrew Zanella and Thomas PoonJournal of Chemical Education2006 83 (5), 769Two commercially available lotions that utilize only one active ingredient as a sunscreen were used to develop a general chemistry laboratory experiment involving the quantitative determination of the active component in each lotion by UV–vis ...
Two-Step Semi-Microscale Preparation of a Cinnamate Ester Sunscreen Analog
Ryan G. Stabile and Andrew P. DicksJournal of Chemical Education2004 81 (10), 1488Two-Step Semi-Microscale Preparation of a Cinnamate Ester Sunscreen Analog
Ryan G. Stabile and Andrew P. DicksJournal of Chemical Education2004 81 (10), 1488The two-step synthesis and characterization of a sunscreen analog (ethyl trans-4-methoxycinnamate) is presented. This experiment is tailored towards students with a sound theoretical understanding of organic chemistry and related laboratory techniques. ...
DNA Excited-State Dynamics: Ultrafast Internal Conversion and Vibrational Cooling in a Series of Nucleosides
Jean-Marc L. Pecourt, Jorge Peon, and Bern KohlerJournal of the American Chemical Society2001 123 (42), 10370-10378DNA Excited-State Dynamics: Ultrafast Internal Conversion and Vibrational Cooling in a Series of Nucleosides
Jean-Marc L. Pecourt, Jorge Peon, and Bern KohlerJournal of the American Chemical Society2001 123 (42), 10370-10378To better understand DNA photodamage, several nucleosides were studied by femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. A 263-nm, 150-fs ultraviolet pump pulse excited each nucleoside in aqueous solution, and the subsequent dynamics were followed by ...
The Preparation of a UV-Light-Absorbing Polymer: A Project-Oriented Laboratory Experiment for the Introductory Organic Chemistry Curriculum
Thomas Poon , Crystal F. Eller , Leah R. Eller , Kenya M. Jones , William Massello , Cynthia M. Norris , Jeffrey A. Oelrich and Thomas A. Pluim , Jean P. McIntyre , Andrea E. Dorigo , Drew J. Davis , Matthew A. Davis , Heather K. Izumi , Kurt H. Kelley , Megan L. Melamed , Sarah E. Poplawski , Jason M. St. Clair , Matthew P. Stokes , Wells C. Wheeler and Erin E. WilkesJournal of Chemical Education1999 76 (11), 1523The Preparation of a UV-Light-Absorbing Polymer: A Project-Oriented Laboratory Experiment for the Introductory Organic Chemistry Curriculum
Thomas Poon , Crystal F. Eller , Leah R. Eller , Kenya M. Jones , William Massello , Cynthia M. Norris , Jeffrey A. Oelrich and Thomas A. Pluim , Jean P. McIntyre , Andrea E. Dorigo , Drew J. Davis , Matthew A. Davis , Heather K. Izumi , Kurt H. Kelley , Megan L. Melamed , Sarah E. Poplawski , Jason M. St. Clair , Matthew P. Stokes , Wells C. Wheeler and Erin E. WilkesJournal of Chemical Education1999 76 (11), 1523A laboratory experiment is described that combines organic synthesis, spectroscopy, and polymer chemistry and is suitable for the sophomore organic chemistry curriculum. In this three-week sequence, students synthesize and characterize the UV-absorber 2-(...
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- Received: August 03, 2009
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