4. Selective Alkene Metathesis in the Total Synthesis of Complex Natural Product

Alkene metathesis has had a significant impact on the selective and efficient formation of carbon–carbon bonds and the advances of complex natural product total synthesis over the last two decades. In this chapter we highlight a number of recent examples of total syntheses in which selective alkene metathesis plays a vital role in the design and implementation for efficient synthesis. In this regard, we expect the influence of this transformation will continue to shape the landscape of the state of the art and science of natural product total synthesis.