Highlighting the impressive potential of tandem and stepwise metathesis/non-metathesis reactions in synthesis, the present review extends the scope of the newly gained renown of metathesis as a progressive policy for advanced, elegant and economical organic synthesis. Background is provided for the most encountered to date applications where fundamental non-metathetical synthetic transformations (hydrogenation, oxidation, isomerization, allylation, cyclopropanation, etc.) and a variety of name reactions (Diels-Alder, Claisen, Heck, Ugi, Pauson-Khand, Kharasch addition, etc.) are occurring in tandem, as concurrent or sequential processes, with every known type of metathetical reactions catalyzed by ruthenium or molybdenum complexes. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.