Optimization of a biocatalytic single-step alkene cleavage of aryl alkenes

The oxidative cleavage of a Cdouble bond; length as m-dashC double bond adjacent to an aryl moiety was achieved in the presence of a protein preparation of Trametes hirsuta G FCC 047 to yield the corresponding aldehydes. Molecular oxygen was the only oxidant required. All positive substrates had a Cdouble bond; length as m-dashC bond conjugated to an aromatic system, all other compounds tested not fulfilling this requirement were non-substrates. The optimum reaction conditions are 20 °C, pH 6–6.5, 15% v/v ethanol as co-solvent at an apparent oxygen pressure of 2 bar.