Synthesis of 5-Amino-1,2,4-Triazole-3-One Through the Nitroreduction of 5-Nitro-1,2,4-Triazole-3-One. Comparison Between Chemical and Microbiological Catalysis

Abstract

The ability of two microorganisms to catalyze the nitroreduction of NTO has been investigated and compared with chemical methods. Among the chemical nitroreducing agents tested, catalytic hydrogenation with Pd/C, gave the best yields either in aqueous or methanolic solutions. The biotransformation was conduced in an industrial aqueous waste containing 15 g/1 NTO. The microbial nitroreduction was scaled-up with Bacillus licheniformis to 11 of waste and was complete in 24 h. The resulting primary amine was easily recovered in 80% yield.