Stereospecific benzylic hydroxylation of bicyclic alkenes by Pseudomonas putida: isolation of (+)-R-1-hydroxy-1,2-dihydronaphthalene, an arene hydrate of naphthalene from metabolism of 1,2-dihydronaphthalene

Abstract

Metabolism of the bicyclic alkenes 1,2-dihydronaphthalene, indene, and 1,2-benzocyclohepta-1,3-diene by a mutant strain of Pseudomonas putida yields benzylic monols (exclusively with R configuration) as major metabolites and vicinal cis diols as minor products having an excess of the S configuration at the benzylic position.