Oxidation of trans- and cis-1,2-cyclohexanediol by Gluconobacter oxydans

Summary The enzymatic oxidation of 1,2-cyclohexanediol and related substrates by Gluconobacter oxydans (ATCC 621) was investigated. At low pH, membrane-bound enzymes were active and at high pH, NAD-dependent, soluble enzymes showed activity. Whole bacterial cells were used to catalyze some bioconversions. Racemic trans-1,2-cyclohexanediol was oxidized at pH 3.5 to give (R)-2-hydroxycyclohexanone (96% e.e.) and at pH 8.0 the same substrate was oxidized to (S)-2-hydroxycyclohexanone (97% e.e.). The latter conversion was severely inhibited by the reaction product while the former was not significantly product inhibited. (S)-2-hydroxycyclohexanone (97% e.e.) was also prepared from cis-1,2-cyclohexanediol by oxidation with G. oxydans cells at pH 3.5 in a reaction which continued to 100% conversion.