Efficient biotransformations in Cunninghamella elegans and Streptomyces sp. JCM9888 of selectively fluorinated benzoic acids to the corresponding benzamides and benzyl alcohols

Abstract

An efficient conversion of ortho, meta and para fluoro- and trifluoromethyl-substituted benzoic acids to the corresponding benzamides in fermentations of the soil bacterium Streptomyces sp. JCM9888 is described. We also report the efficient reduction of the same class of substrates to the corresponding benzyl alcohols with the fungi Cunninghamella elegans. These biotransformations were surprisingly efficient and may have value as disruptive technologies in process chemistry.