Abstract: A process for preparing halomethyl esters of penicillanic acid sulfone, intermediates to beta-lactamase inhibitors, from the corresponding substituted thiomethyl and sulfinylmethyl esters and a halogenating agent. The thiomethyl and sulfinylmethyl esters of penicillanic acid sulfone are useful intermediates.

Abstract: A novel process is described for preparation of biotin comprising preparation of substituted 3H, 5H-imidazo[1, 5c]tetrahydro thiazoles by contacting the boron trifluoride adduct of an appropriate thiazoline with the metallic derivative of an ester enolate, reducing the ester, hydrolyzing the thiazolidine moiety and hydrolyzing or oxidizing the resultant compound. Intermediates obtained in the preparation of biotin by the above process and alternate procedures for preparing said intermediates are also presented. A novel process for preparation of d-biotin is also given.