Synthesis of the 14-membered macrolide core of migrastatin is accomplished by the use of fury' carbinol in 13 linear steps from furfural with similar to 11% overall yield. Key strategies in the synthesis include the oxidative ring opening of furan and its use as a four-carbon synthon, S(N)2 displacement of a functionalized ally' bromide, and ring closing metathesis to obtain the macrolactone.