Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I've tried searching, but I'm having trouble with finding the following information:

1. chemical formula for oxybenzone (chemical ingredient used in sunscreens)
2. molecule diagram of titanium dioxide (physical ingredient used in sunblocks)

For the molecule diagram, I need an image. Can anyone recommend a URL to an image? Like http://www.jpccn.org/images/chem/oxybenzone.gif for example, but of a titanium dioxide molecule?

Thank you for your help.

Hi Punkette,

I'm not chemist, but a google's got the chemical formula and structure for oxybenzone:

http://www.google.com/search?q=oxybenzone+chemistry

I'm not sure about TiO2. If it exists as individual molecules, my guess is that it looks like CO2. (eg. 0=Ti=O). But I've only heard people talk about it as a crystal solid. (Like I said, I'm by no means a chemist.)

Best,
Erik

There is an important difference between organic molecules such as oxybenzone and inorganic minerals such as titanium dioxide.

Organic molecules exist as individual molecules with well-defind bonds and shape.

Inorganic molecules tend to exist as big clumps of "molecules" which are not really individual molecules at all but some kind of repeating unit. The titanium and oxygen atoms can switch partners on a whim without affecting the chemical properties of the material.

You don't need a diagram for TiO2 like the one you need for oxybenzone. Just write TiO2 making sure that the "2" is a subscript.