Title: Wavepacket insights into the photoprotection mechanism of the UV filter methyl anthranilate

Journal Article · · Nature Communications
 [1]; ORCiD logo [2]; ORCiD logo [3];  [3];  [3];  [4]
  1. University of Warwick, Coventry (United Kingdom), Department of Chemistry; DOE/OSTI
  2. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States), Combustion Research Facility; University of Warwick, Coventry (United Kingdom), Department of Chemistry
  3. Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, IN (United States), Dept. of Chemistry
  4. University of Warwick, Coventry (United Kingdom), Department of Chemistry

Meradimate is a broad-spectrum ultraviolet absorber used as a chemical filter in commercial sunscreens. Herein, we explore the ultrafast photodynamics occurring in methyl anthranilate (precursor to Meradimate) immediately after photoexcitation with ultraviolet radiation to understand the mechanisms underpinning Meradimate photoprotection. Using time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy, signal from the first singlet excited state of methyl anthranilate shows an oscillatory behavior, i.e., quantum beats. Our studies reveal a dependence of the observed beating frequencies on photoexcitation wavelength and photoelectron kinetic energy, unveiling the different Franck-Condon overlaps between the vibrational levels of the ground electronic, first electronic excited, and ground cationic states of methyl anthranilate. By evaluating the behavior of these beats with increasing photon energy, we find evidence for intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution on the first electronic excited state. Such energy redistribution hinders efficient relaxation of the electronic excited state, making methyl anthranilate a poor choice for an efficient, efficacious sunscreen chemical filter.

Research Organization:
Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, IN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC)
Grant/Contract Number:
FG02-96ER14656
OSTI ID:
1624130
Journal Information:
Nature Communications, Journal Name: Nature Communications Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 9; ISSN 2041-1723
Publisher:
Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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  • Rodrigues, Natércia D. N.; Staniforth, Michael; Stavros, Vasilios G.
  • Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, Vol. 472, Issue 2195 https://doi.org/10.1098/rspa.2016.0677
journal November 2016
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Ultrafast photodissociation dynamics of 2-ethylpyrrole: adding insight to experiment with ab initio multiple cloning journal January 2019
Ultrafast photodissociation dynamics of pyrazole, imidazole and their deuterated derivatives using ab initio multiple cloning journal January 2019
Vibronic spectroscopy of methyl anthranilate and its water complex: hydrogen atom dislocation in the excited state journal January 2019
Applications of ultrafast spectroscopy to sunscreen development, from first principles to complex mixtures journal April 2019