Biocatalytic chlorination of aromatic hydrocarbons by chloroperoxidase of Caldariomyces fumago

Chloroperoxidase from Caldariomyces fumago was able to chlorinate 17 of 20 aromatic hydrocarbons assayed in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and chlo ride ions. Reaction rates varied from 0.6 min(-1) for naphthalene to 758 mi n(-1) for 9-methylanthracene. Mono-, di- and tri-chlorinated compounds were obtained from the chloroperoxidase-mediated reaction on aromatic compounds . Dichloroacenaphthene, trichloroacenaphthene, 9,10-dichloroanthracene, chl oropyrene, dichloropyrene, dichlorobiphenylene and trichlorobiphenylene wer e identified by mass spectral analyses as products from acenaphthene, anthr acene, pyrene and biophenylene respectively. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbo ns with 5 and 6 aromatic rings were also substrates for the chloroperoxidas e reaction. The importance of the microbial chlorination of aromatic pollut ants and its potential environmental impact are discussed, (C) 2001 Elsevie r Science Ltd. All rights reserved.