Selective oxidation of gaseous hydrocarbons by bacterial cells

Studies on the direct selective oxidation of gaseous C₁–C₄ alkanes and C₂–C₄ alkenes to valuable oxygen-containing products (alcohols, methyl ketones, and epoxides) with the aid of the bacterial cells of gas-assimilating microorganisms are surveyed. The resting bacterial cells of the microorganisms grown on gaseous hydrocarbons possess an enzymic monoxygenase activity: they promote the insertion of an oxygen atom into the hydrocarbon molecule with formation of an oxygen-containing product. This process is effected under very mild conditions and is characterised by high selectivity and stereospecificity. It proceeds without the formation of toxic by-products. Certain problems of the practical implementation of biocatalytic oxidation processes, namely the regeneration of the monoxygenase cofactor, the reduction of the toxic effect of the oxygen-containing product formed, as well as the immobilisation of the cells on solid carriers in order to obtain an active and stable heterogeneous biocatalyst for the direct partial oxidation of hydrocarbons are considered. The bibliography includes 111 references.