INTRODUCTION OF PHOSPHATE GROUP INTO β-ARBUTIN BY CYCLO-TRIPHOSPHATE

Abstract

Phosphorylation of β-arbutin has been achieved using inorganic cyclo-triphosphate (P_3m) in aqueous solution. The optimum condition for the phosphorylation of β-arbutin with P_3m is β-arbutin : P_3m = 0.1 mol/L : 0.5 mol/L, pH 11 and 40°C. 4-Triphospho-β-arbutin was synthesized with the yield of 90%. The reaction mechanism of β-arbutin with P_3m was discussed. We have successfully introduced the triphosphate group in one molecule. Phosphorylated β-arbutin is expected that the permeability of β-arbutin into the skin will be increased by introducing a phosphate group.