Synthesis and characterization of 2,4,6-trihydroxy benzophenone and its activity as sunscreen

Emmy Yuanita (Department of Chemistry, University of Mataram, Mataram, Indonesia)
Ainni Rohmana (Department of Chemistry, University of Mataram, Mataram, Indonesia)
Maria Ulfa (Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Mataram)
Baiq Nila Sari Ningsih (Department of Chemistry, University of Mataram, Mataram, Indonesia)
Sudirman Sudirman (Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Mataram)
Ni Komang Tri Dharmayani (Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Mataram)
Ima Arum Lestarini (Department of Medical, University of Mataram, Mataram, Indonesia)
Maulida Septiyana (Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematic and Natural Science, University of Mataram)
Baiq Desy Ratnasari (Department of Chemistry and biochemistry, University of North Carolina, Greensboro, USA)

Acta Chimica Asiana
Vol. 8 No. 1 (2025)

Benzophenone was synthesized through a condensation reaction of benzoic acid and phloroglucinol with an Eaton reagent as a catalyst. The percentage of the product was 60%, and it was characterized using FTIR and 1H-NMR. The sunscreen activity was carried out using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer to calculate the SPF value. The synthesis result was made in several concentration variations: 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 ppm to measure the SPF values. The results showed that the SPF values were 9.89, 13.39, 17.83, 23.77, and 28.26, respectively. Based on this, it can be concluded that these compounds have biological activity as sunscreen and samples of 200-300 ppm are included in the ultra-category as sunscreen.