The present invention relates to the synthesis, composition and use of novel moieties formed by reacting a transimination nucleophilic catalyst, molecular or polymeric, with carbonyl-containing therapeutic or cosmetic moieties. The
resultant Schiff base product is highly reactive towards transimination with a biological amine. The catalyst and carbonyl-containing
moiety can be molecular or polymeric, and the
resultant chemical and physical properties of the
Schiff base products can be engineered by appropriate selection of said catalyst. The present invention also relates to the synthesis, composition and use of novel moieties that are used as actives in
sunless tanning preparations. The present invention also relates to the use of transimination nucleophilic catalysts to increase the rate at which a carbonyl-containing
moiety reacts with a biological amine. The present invention also relates to the use of transimination nucleophilic catalysts to increase the rate and
efficacy of commercial
sunless tanning preparations. Improvements on stability and
efficacy of said preparations are disclosed. While the invention has been described in terms of its preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the present invention should not be limited to the embodiments as described above, but should further include all modifications and equivalents thereof within the spirit and scope of the description provided herein.