Convergent total synthesis of (+)-muricatetrocin B, a tetrahydrofuran-containing acetogenin with potent and selective cytotoxicity against the HT-29 human colon adenocarcinoma cell line, was achieved in 13 steps. Our synthesis is highlighted by a late-stage sequential olefin cross-metathesis/Hartung–Mukaiyama cyclization for convergent assembly of the 2,5-trans-substituted tetrahydrofuran ring.

A seven-step synthesis of (−)-atorvastatin calcium, an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, has been developed. The key transformations of the present synthesis are a tandem olefin cross-metathesis/hemiacetalization/intramolecular oxa-Michael addition and a subsequent regioselective Baeyer–Villiger oxidation for the stereocontrolled construction of the syn-3,5-dihydroxy carboxylic acid substructure.