Oxidation of halogenated propanes with Methylosinus trichosporium (OB3b)

Abstract Halogenated propanes (1-chloropropane, 1-bromopropane, 2-chloropropane, and 2-bromopropane) were oxidized with Methylosinus trichosporium (OB3b). 1-Propanol, 1-halogenated-2-propanol, and 1-halogenated-3-propanol were produced from 1-halogenated propane, and 2-halogenated-1-propanol and acetone were produced from 2-halogenated propane, showing that all the carbon atoms of the halogenated propanes were attacked by activated oxygen. The optical purity of halohydrin obtained from halogenated propane with M. trichosporium was independent of halogen type.