The synthesis of the tetracyclic core of kinobscurinone was accomplished via a base mediated Michael addition-cyclization sequence. Chapter 2 describes a boron trifluoride mediated rearrangement of various benzyl phenyl ethers to their corresponding ortho-benzyl phenols and its application in the synthesis of 2,3-diarylbenzo[b]furans using a two-step sequence of benzoylation followed by a base-mediated cyclization. Chapter 3 describes the first total synthesis of biologically active 3-farnesyl salicylic acid and its analogues.