1. Ring cleavage of 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate by cell-free extracts of Pseudomonas putida leads to 2-hydroxy-6-oxo-(2Z,4E)-hexa-2,4-dienoic acid and CO2. 2. The 1H n.m.r. spectrum of the ring-fission product obtained in a 2H2O solution suggests that the extra-diol cleavage occurs between C-3 and C-4.
