Identification of nitroso compounds from biotransformation of 2,4-dinitrotoluene.

The intermediates of microbial transformation of 2,4-dinitrotoluene by a mixed bacterial culture derived from activated sludge were identified as 2-amino-4-nitrotoluene, 4-amino-2-nitrotoluene, 2-nitroso-4-nitrotoluene, and 4-nitroso-2-nitrotoluene. The biotransformation of 2,4-dinitrotoluene occurred only under anaerobic conditions with an exogenous carbon source. The two nitroso compounds were unstable and could be observed only at the early stage of 2,4-dinitrotoluene anaerobic biotransformation.