Frontiers in Chemistry (Jul 2020)

Exploring the Photochemistry of an Ethyl Sinapate Dimer: An Attempt Toward a Better Ultraviolet Filter

  • Michael D. Horbury,
  • Matthew A. P. Turner,
  • Jack S. Peters,
  • Matthieu Mention,
  • Amandine L. Flourat,
  • Nicholas D. M. Hine,
  • Florent Allais,
  • Vasilios G. Stavros

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2020.00633
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8

Abstract

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The photochemistry and photostability of a potential ultraviolet (UV) radiation filter, dehydrodiethylsinapate, with a broad absorption in the UVA region, is explored utilizing a combination of femtosecond time-resolved spectroscopy and steady-state irradiation studies. The time-resolved measurements show that this UV filter candidate undergoes excited state relaxation after UV absorption on a timescale of ~10 picoseconds, suggesting efficient relaxation. However, steady-state irradiation measurements show degradation under prolonged UV exposure. From a photochemical standpoint, this highlights the importance of considering both the ultrafast and “ultraslow” timescales when designing new potential UV filters.

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