Biotransformation of aromatic heterocyclic compounds by Caragana chamlagu and Wasabia japonica

The biotransformation of several indoles using suspension plant cultured-cells of Caragana chamlagu gave the corresponding ketoamides by oxidative cleavage. In the case of biotransformation of 2,3-dimethylindole (1) by C. chamlagu, o-acetylaminoacetophenone (1b, 76%) as the major product and 2,3-epoxy-2,3-dimethylindoline (1a, 11%) were obtained after 6 days’ incubation. Furthermore, the biotransformation of 1 in the presence of H2O2 gave the compounds 1b (83%) and 1a (6%) in short time (1 h). On the other hand, the biotransformation of 2,3-dimethylindole (1) for Wasabia japonica (Japanese horseradish)–H2O2 system gave o-acetylaminoacetophenone (1b) in good yield. Moreover, we discuss about biotransformation for 2,3-dimethylbenzofuran (11), benzofuran (12), benzoxazole, (13) and 2-methylbenzoxazole (14).