Octocrylene
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Octocrylene".

Octocrylene
IUPAC name	2-ethylhexyl 2-cyano-3,3- diphenyl-2-propenoate
Identifiers
CAS number	6197-30-4
SMILES	O=C(OCC(CC)CCCC)\C(C#N)=C (C2=CC=CC=C2)/C1=CC=CC=C1
Properties
Molecular formula	C24H27NO2
Molar mass	361.48 g/mol
Density	1.05 g/cm3
Melting point	14 °C
Boiling point	218 °C at 1.5 mmHg
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox references

Octocrylene is an organic compound used as an ingredient in sunscreens and cosmetics. It is an ester formed by the condensation of a diphenylcyanoacrylate with 2-ethylhexanol. It is a viscous, oily liquid that is clear and colorless.

The extended conjugation of the acrylate portion of the molecule absorbs ultraviolet light, protecting the skin from direct DNA damage. The ethylhexanol portion is a fatty alcohol, adding emollient and oil-like (water resistant) properties.

This organic compound can penetrate into the skin where it acts as a photosensitizer. This results in an increased production of free radicals under illumination.¹ Free radicals are known to induce indirect DNA damage and an increased concentration of free radicals might have contributed to the increased incidence of malignant melanoma in sunscreen-users compared to non-users (see Epidemiologie of malignant melanoma)

See also

• Sunscreen
• Sunscreen controversy

References

This article about an ester is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.