Formation of naphthalene hydrates in the enzymatic conversion of 1,2-dihydronaphthalene by two fungal peroxygenases and subsequent naphthalene formation

The formation of naphthalene hydrates (i.e. 1- and 2-hydroxy-1,2-dihydronaphthalene) displays a new activity (besides epoxidation) in the enzymatic transformation of 1,2-dihydronaphthalene by two fungal unspecific peroxygenases (UPOs) accounting for 16–19% of the overall turnover. These arene hydrates decayed into naphthalene that in turn was converted by UPOs into naphthols. The oxygen transferred during hydroxylation was shown to derive from hydrogen peroxide proving a true peroxygenation reaction.