1,2-Dihydro-1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene dehydrogenase containing recombinant strains: Preparation, isolation and characterisation of 1,2-dihydroxynaphthalenes and 1,2-naphthoquinones

1,2-Dihydroxynaphthalenes are produced by dehydrogenation of the corresponding 1,2-dihydro-1,2-dihydroxynaphthalenes using an Escherichia coli recombinant strain containing the dihydrodiol naphthalene dehydrogenase gene cloned from Pseudomonas fluorescens N3. Conversions are led in carefully controlled conditions to minimise product polymerisation. A multistep procedure using a weakly basic resin permits isolation of good product amounts, solving the toxicity problem. Products are isolated and characterised as t-butyldimethylsilyl derivatives that are stable compounds. The transformation of the 1,2-dihydroxynaphthalenes into the corresponding 1,2-naphthoquinones is also reported.