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Picosecond Dynamics of Avobenzone in Solution.

Adam D Dunkelberger¹, Ryan D Kieda¹, Brett M Marsh¹

¹Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States.

The Journal of Physical Chemistry. A

|May 16, 2015

Summary

Avobenzone photoisomerization was studied on the picosecond timescale. Researchers observed two unstable non-chelated enol isomers, providing the first direct evidence and their lifetimes, crucial for sunscreen efficacy.

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Area of Science:

Photochemistry
Chemical Dynamics
Spectroscopy

Background:

Avobenzone, a common sunscreen ingredient, undergoes photoisomerization upon UV exposure.
This process forms non-chelated enol (NCE) isomers, some of which decrease sunscreen efficacy.
Previous studies on nanosecond- to microsecond-scales could not characterize unstable NCE isomers.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the picosecond dynamics of avobenzone photoisomerization.
To directly observe and characterize unstable non-chelated enol isomers.
To determine the lifetimes and branching ratios of these transient species.

Main Methods:

Excitation of avobenzone at 350 nm.
Time-resolved spectroscopy using broadband visible and 266 nm probe pulses.
Analysis of isomer formation and relaxation dynamics on the picosecond timescale.

Main Results:

Direct spectroscopic evidence for two unstable NCE isomers of avobenzone.
Determination of the lifetimes for these newly observed NCE isomers.
Quantification of the branching ratio between the observed NCE isomer pathways.

Conclusions:

The picosecond timescale reveals previously unobserved NCE isomers of avobenzone.
Understanding these unstable isomers is critical for optimizing sunscreen photostability.
This study provides fundamental insights into avobenzone's photochemical behavior.