Abstract: The present invention provides convergent processes for preparing (?)-beta-elemene, (?)-beta-elemenal, (?)-beta-elemenol, and (?)-beta-elemene fluoride and analogues thereof. Also provided are intermediates useful for preparing (?)-beta-elemene. The present invention further provides novel compositions based on analogues of (?)-beta-elemene, (?)-beta-elemenal, (?)-beta-elemenol, (?)-beta-elemene fluoride and methods for the treatment of cancer, such as brain tumor, lung cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, colorectal cancer, gastric intestional cancer, and stomach cancer.