Oligomers of 4-chloroaniline are intermediates formed during its biodegration byPhanerochaete chrysosporium

Lignin peroxidase H2 (LP-H2) from Phanerochaete chrysosporium oxidized 4-chloroaniline to form several oligomers. Included among the compounds identified were: 4,4'-dichloroazobenzene, 2-(4-chloroanilino)-5-hydroxybenzoquinone-di-4-chloroanil and 2-amino-5-(4-chloroanilino) benzoquinone-di-4-chloroanil. In contrast to results by others, we showed that oligomers of 4-chloroaniline were also formed by the fungus in vivo. It was also demonstrated that, although these potentially toxic intermediates are made, they are also degraded.