Synthesis and biological evaluation of a new series of phenothiazine-containing protein farnesyltransferase inhibitors

► Synthesis and evaluation of phenothiazine-containing farnesyltransferase inhibitors. ► Synthesis of new ylides with biological potential. ► Unexpected compounds were synthesized from 2- and 4-picolinium salts. ► Discovery of pyridin-(1H)-ylidene derivatives with IC50 values in the low submicromolar range. ► Study of the generalization of the synthesis of pyridin-(1H)-ylidene derivatives.