Halogenated anilines as novel natural products from a marine biofilm forming microalga.

The toxic halogenated anilines 2,4,6-tribromoaniline, 2,4,6-trichloroaniline and their dibromochloro and bromodichloro derivatives were considered as compounds of exclusive synthetic origin. Labeling studies and kinetic experiments confirmed that these substances are also biosynthesized by a marine biofilm forming microalga. They represent a novel class of halogenated natural products.