Application of olefin cross-metathesis to the synthesis of biologically active natural products.

An overview of the use of olefin cross-metathesis in the synthesis of biologically active natural products is presented. The diverse examples are organized according to the outcome of the olefin constructed by the cross-metathesis reaction: this olefin can be either present in the final product, reduced, engaged in other transformations, or involved in tandem processes.