Oxybenzone

Oxybenzone is a phenol that may be oxidized, creating a stressful environment for coral reefs.

Oxybenzone - Wikipedia

General Information

IUPAC name: 2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-phenylmethanone

Adverse Effects of Oxybenzone

Several studies have reported that oxybenzone has adverse effects on reproduction and development of algae, the freshwater flea, and plarian (Kim, Sujin and Choi, Kyungho 2014). There is not much information on the long term ecological effects of oxybenzone in our freshwater systems, so further investigation is warranted.

Physical Properties

Names:

• 2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone
• Oxybenzone
• Benzophenone-3 (BZ-3) <--trade naming, see other below

Molecular weight: 228.24 g/mol

Boiling point: 115°C.

Melting point: 65.5°C.

Density: 1.32 g/mL.

pKa: 7.1.

UV max: 288 and 326 nm.

Described as an off-white or light yellow powder.

Other--> Benzophenone-n

References

Dermatological and environmental toxicological impact of the sunscreen ingredient oxybenzone/benzophenone-3. (review, 2018)

Sunscreens Cause Coral Bleaching by Promoting Viral Infections

Sunscreens: are they beneficial for health? An overview of endocrine disrupting properties of UV-filters (review, 2012, 166 times cited/Sept 2019)

Occurrences, toxicities, and ecological risks of benzophenone-3, a common component of organic sunscreen products: A mini-review (review, 2014)