Shell Oil Comapny

Gist-brocades N.v.

Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij, B.v.

Philip J Geary

John A Schofield

Peter R Betteridge

George Ryback

Kenneth H Clifford

Robert J Pryce

The invention provides a process for the preparation of 2,6-difluorobenzamide which comprises subjecting 2,6-difluorobenzonitrile to the action of a suitable hydrolysing microorganism or nitrilase extract therefrom; and Rhodococcus Sp. NCIB 12218 or a mutant thereof, suitable for use in the process.

Process for the preparation of difluorobenzamide

Strains of Pseudomonas putida selected from Pseudomonas putida NCIB 12190 and mutant strains thereof, which mutant strains can be obtained by chemical and physical mutation, allowing the mutated bacteria to grow prior to exposure to benzene or fluorobenzene, and subsequently, after further growth in the presence of benzene or fluorobenzene, selecting those mutant strains which accumulate cis-dihydroxycyclohexadiene or catechol or their fluorinated analogues. The new strains can be used in biochemical processes for the preparation of cis-dihydroxycyclohexadienes and catechols.

New strains of Pseudomonas putida and their use

New strains of pseudomonas putida

Growing community of inventors

Ashford, United Kingdom

Philip J Geary