Synthesis of Protein Farnesyltransferase and Protein Geranylgeranyltransferase Inhibitors: Rapid Access to Chaetomellic Acid A and Its Analogues.

A facile two-step stereospecific synthesis of the protein farnesyltransferase inhibitor chaetomellic acid A (1) and its analogues was developed. Addition of organocuprates derived from Grignard reagents (e.g.