The preparation of thirteen halo- and methyl-substituted 3,5-cyclohexadiene-1, 2-diol-1'carboxylic acids from microbial oxidation of the corresponding benzoic acids is reported. The properties, including CD-, UV-, MS-spectra are compared. The cis-configuration of the glycol group is determined by acetonide formation with 2,2-dimethoxypropane and from spectroscopic data.