Chemical structure and biodegradability of halogenate aromatic compounds. Substituent effects on 1,2-dioxygenation of benzoic acid.

Dioxygenation of substituted benzoic acids by whole cells of 3-chlorobenzoate-utilizing Pseudomonas sp. B 13, benzoate-induced cells of Alcaligenes eutrophus B 9 and toluate-grown cells of Pseudomonas putida mt-2 was examined. Electron-attracting substituents like halogen decreased the reaction rates of benzoate 1,2-dioxygenation. Dioxygenation of substituted benzoic acids by P. putida mt-2 was mostly undisturbed by steric effects of the substituents. Good correlation resulted between the log Vrel values and the Hammett substituent constant sigma. In contrast the reaction rates of dioxygenation by Pseudomonas sp. B 13 and A. eutrophus were decreased predominantly by steric effects of substituents. A non-polar reaction mechanism of benzoate 1,2-dioxygenation is discussed. Results from inhibition studies demonstrate high stereospecificities for the 1,2-dioxygenation by Pseudomonas sp. B 13 of benzoic acids with substituents in ortho- or para-position. In the case of P. putida mt-2 steric handrance by substituents was observed only with orth-substituted benzoic acids. Stereospecificities of the benzoate 1,2-dioxygenation by Pseudomonas sp. B 13 and P. putida mt-2 are illustrated schematically.