Abstract: A process for producing lyophilized competent cells wherein competent cells are that can be stored or shipped as freeze-dried cells at temperatures between 0° C. and 8° C. and remain suitable for cloning genes or DNA fragments. The process includes culturing cells, rending the cells competent, and lyophilizing the cells. Once lyophilized, the cells can be stored or shipped as freeze-dried cells. The lyophilized cells are prepared for transformation protocols by being re-hydrated in a solution of dimethyl sulfoxide. Once re-hydrated, the transformation efficiency of the competent cells is at least 5×105 transformations per microgram of DNA.

Abstract: Novel thioimidazoles are 5-carboxyaldehyde-1-methyl-4-(phenylmethyl)thioimidazole and 5-(.alpha.-aminoacetyl)-1-methyl-4-(phenylmethyl)thioimidazole acid addition salt. The latter is prepared from the former by steps comprising Grignard addition to form 5-(1-hydroxyethyl)-1-methyl-4-(phenylmethyl)thioimidazole, oxidizing the hydroxy compound to form the corresponding ketone, brominating under acidic conditions to form the bromoacetyl derivative, converting the bromo in the bromoacetyl derivative to N,N-diformylamino and then hydrolyzing. The latter thioimidazole is an intermediate for forming 5-methylimidazo[4,5-e]-1,2-thiazin-4(5H)-one, that is neamphine, and for forming 3-chloro-(5-methylimidazo) [4,5-e]-1,2-thiazin-4(5H)-one, that is 3-chloroneamphine.