Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 30, 2026

Retropinacol/Cross-pinacol Coupling Reactions - A Catalytic Access to 1,2-Unsymmetrical Diols
Published on: April 4, 2014
Isopropanol and acetone induces vinyl chloride degradation in Rhodococcus rhodochrous
Robin L Kuntz1, Lewis R Brown, Mark E Zappi
1Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, PO Box GY, MS 39762, USA.
Abstract:
In situ bioremediation of vinyl chloride (VC)-contaminated waste sites requires a microorganism capable of degrading VC. While propane will induce an oxygenase to accomplish this goal, its use as a primary substrate in bioremediation is complicated by its flammability and low water solubility. This study demonstrates that two degradation products of propane, isoproponal and acetone, can induce the enzymes in Rhodococcus rhodochrous that degrade VC. Additionally, a reasonable number of cells for bioremediation can be grown on conventional solid bacteriological media (nutrient agar, tryptic soy agar, plate count agar) in an average microbiological laboratory and then induced to produce the necessary enzymes by incubation of a resting cell suspension with isopropanol or acetone. Since acetone is more volatile than isopropanol and has other undesirable characteristics, isopropanol is the inducer of choice. It offers a non-toxic, water-soluble, relatively inexpensive alternative to propane for in situ bioremediation of waste sites contaminated with VC.
Related Concept Videos
Acid Halides to Esters: Alcoholysis
Oxidations of Aldehydes and Ketones to Carboxylic Acids
Aldehydes readily undergo oxidation in strong oxidizing agents such as potassium permanganate and chromic acid. The oxidation can also be carried out using mild oxidizing agents such as silver oxide. In fact, aldehydes can be easily oxidized...
Alkylation of β-Ketoester Enolates: Acetoacetic Ester Synthesis
Acid-Catalyzed Dehydration of Alcohols to Alkenes
Vicinal Diols via Reductive Coupling of Aldehydes or Ketones: Pinacol Coupling Overview
Preparation of Aldehydes and Ketones from Alcohols, Alkenes, and Alkynes
