Enzymatic Oxidation of Aromatic Amines

05 March 2007

It has recently been shown that an enzyme, para-aminobenzoate N-oxygenase, derived from Streptomyces thioluteus, can convert p-aminobenzoic acid into the corresponding nitro compound via the intermediate N-hydroxy compound. In the latest paper from the group of Hertweck at Jena, the scope of the substrates that the enzyme will tolerate has been explored. Only amino groups para to a carboxylic acid or sulphonic acid seem to be oxidized (R Winkler et al, Angew Chem Int Ed, 2006. 45, 8016-8018); meta and ortho groups are not oxidized. This allows selective oxidation of diamino compounds and also a separation method for isomeric aniline derivatives.