[Decomposition of 3,4-dichloroaniline by an Alcaligenes faecalis culture]

Under the conditions of co-oxidation at a considerable excess of the co-substrate, Alcaligenes faecalis performs oxidative deamination of 3,4-dichloroaniline yielding 4,5-dichloropyrocatechol and cleaves its aromatic cycle. Formation of a chlorinated derivative of hydroxymuconic acid as an intermediate product, as well as the 100% liberation of chloride ions under these conditions, indicate that 3,4-dichloroaniline can be completely mineralized by A. faecalis.