What is the Difference Between Oxybenzone and Avobenzone

The key difference between oxybenzone and avobenzone is that oxybenzone is safe to be used in sunscreen that is applied on human skin, whereas avobenzone is not safe to be used in sunscreen because it can degrade in the sun and produce harmful radicals.

Oxybenzone is an organic compound having the chemical formula C₁₄H₁₂O₃, while avobenzone is an organic compound having the chemical formula C₂₀H₂₂O₃.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Oxybenzone 
3. What is Avobenzone
4. Similarities – Oxybenzone and Avobenzone
5. Oxybenzone vs Avobenzone in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Oxybenzone vs Avobenzone

What is Oxybenzone?

Oxybenzone is an organic compound having the chemical formula C₁₄H₁₂O₃. It occurs as a yellow-colored solid that can readily be dissolved in many organic solvents. Moreover, this compound belongs to the class of aromatic ketones named benzophenones. We can find oxybenzone naturally occurring in flowering plants and it is also used in many sunscreen lotions. Furthermore, this substance is useful in many plastics, toys, furniture finishes, and various other products.

Oxybenzone is a conjugated molecule that can absorb light at lower energy levels in comparison to many other aromatic compounds. It has a hydroxyl group that is hydrogen-bonded to the ketone. This hydrogen bonding interaction can contribute to the light-absorption properties of this compound.

The major way of producing oxybenzone is Friedel-Crafts reaction of benzoyl chloride with 3-methoxyphenol.

There are many uses of oxybenzone, which include the use of this substance in plastics as a UV light absorber and stabilizer. Moreover, we can use it along with other benzophenones to be used in sunscreen lotions, hair sprays, and cosmetic applications. This is mainly because these substances can prevent potential damage from exposure to sunlight. In addition, we can find this ingredient in nail polish. Oxybenzone is also important as a photo stabilizer for synthetic resins.

What is Avobenzone?

Avobenzone is an organic compound having the chemical formula C₂₀H₂₂O₃. It is an oil-soluble ingredient that is useful in sunscreen products for the absorption of the full spectrum of UVA rays. It appears as colorless crystals.

When considering the properties of avobenzone, it is a whitish to yellowish crystalline powder having a weal odor. Moreover, it can dissolve in isopropanol, dimethyl sulfoxide, decyl oleate, capric acid, triglycerides, and other oils. In addition, it is not water-soluble.

We can prepare avobenzone by the reaction of 4-tert-butylbenzoic methyl ester with 4-methoxyacetophenone in toluene in the presence of sodium amide through Claisen Condensation.

Similarities Between Oxybenzone and Avobenzone?

1. Oxybenzone and avobenzone are important ingredients in sunscreen lotions.
2. Both can degrade in the sun, lowering the ability to screen UVA rays
3. They can release free radicals that can increase the cancer risk
4. Both components can accelerate skin aging and contribute to the development of allergies

What is the Difference Between Oxybenzone and Avobenzone?

Oxybenzone and avobenzone are important compounds in organic chemistry. The key difference between oxybenzone and avobenzone is that oxybenzone is safe to be used in sunscreen that is applied on human skin, whereas avobenzone is not safe to be used in sunscreen because it can degrade in the sun and produce harmful radicals.

Below is a summary of the difference between oxybenzone and avobenzone in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Oxybenzone vs Avobenzone

Oxybenzone is an organic compound having the chemical formula C₁₄H₁₂O₃, while avobenzone is an organic compound having the chemical formula C₂₀H₂₂O₃. The key difference between oxybenzone and avobenzone is that oxybenzone is safe to be used in sunscreen that is applied on human skin whereas avobenzone is not safe to be used in sunscreen because it can degrade in the sun and produce harmful radicals.

Reference:

1. Miller, Korin. “Here’s Why Everyone Is Freaking out over Oxybenzone in Sunscreen.” Prevention, 2 Nov. 2021.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Synthese von Oxybenzon” By Tzaph – Own work (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Avobenzone” By Fvasconcellos (talk · contribs) – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia