Patent ID: 6797497
Filing Date: 2004-09-28
Classification: C12P

Abstract:
A process for the production of an ortho-aminophenol from a nitroarene of the formula wherein R is selected from the group consisting of â€”H, â€”OH, â€”COOH, â€”CnH2n+1, â€”C6H5, â€”X, â€”CX3, â€”CHO, â€”OCnH2n+1, and â€”Oâ€”C6H5, wherein n ranges from 1 to 6, and X is F, Cl, Br or I, which comprises transforming said nitroarene to the corresponding hydroxylaminoarene with a metal catalyst and transforming said hydroxylaminoarene to said ortho-aminophenol using a biocatalyst consisting essentially of a mutase enzyme that converts said hydroxylaminoarene to said ortho-aminophenol, and recovering a fraction containing said ortho-aminophenol.