Professor Steven V. Ley Research Group

Professor Steve Ley CBE FRS FMedSci

Director of Research

In the Ley Group, we specialise in developing new synthesis methods and applying them to the construction of biologically important molecules. Over the years we have completed the total synthesis of many natural products, including: spongistatin 1 (anti-mitotic agent); rapamycin (immunosuppressant); thapsigargin (SERCA pumps inhibitor); azadirachtin (insect antifeedant); and bengazole A (fungicide). In addition to our research on natural product synthesis, we also pioneered flow chemistry and machine assisted synthesis. 

For more detailed research information and our publication list, please see our legacy group website.

Completed Natural Products

Publications

Total synthesis of the amaryllidaceae alkaloid (+)-plicamine and its unnatural enantiomer by using solid-supported reagents and scavengers in a multistep sequence of reactions.
IR Baxendale, SV Ley, C Piutti
Angew Chem Int Ed Engl
(2002)
41
(doi: 10.1002/1521-3773(20020617)41:12<2194::aid-anie2194>3.0.co;2-4)
The question of delocalization in "anchored" ions with potential trishomoaromatic character. 1. Reduction of tricyclo[5.4.1.04,12]dodeca-2,5,8,10-tetraene as a route to the 10.pi.11C dianion
LA Paquette, MJ Kukla, SV Ley, SG Traynor
Journal of the American Chemical Society
(2002)
99
(doi: 10.1021/ja00456a037)
Unsaturated heterocyclic systems. XCII. Nitrogen analogs of 1,6-methano[12]annulene. Effect on valence tautomerism of the locus of aza substitution
LA Paquette, HC Berk, SV Ley
Journal of Organic Chemistry
(2002)
40
(doi: 10.1021/jo00895a020)
Synthesis and reducibility of homo-2-methoxyazocines and their benzo-fused derivatives. An examination of heteroatomic influences on the possible generation of 9C-10.pi. homoaromatic dianions
LA Paquette, GD Ewing, SV Ley, HC Berk, SG Traynor
The Journal of Organic Chemistry
(2002)
43
(doi: 10.1021/jo00419a007)
Total synthesis of the ionophore antibiotic X-14547A (Indanomycin)
MP Edwards, SV Ley, SG Lister, BD Palmer, DJ Williams
The Journal of Organic Chemistry
(2002)
49
(doi: 10.1021/jo00193a014)
A Facile Route to Imidazol-4-yl Anions and Their Reaction with Carbonyl Compounds
RM Turner, SD Lindell, SV Ley
Journal of Organic Chemistry
(2002)
56
(doi: 10.1021/jo00020a002)
TETRACYANOETHYLENE ADDITION TO IRON TRICARBONYL COMPLEXES OF SUBSTITUTED CYCLOOCTATETRAENES - REGIOSELECTIVITY CONSIDERATIONS DURING FORMATION OF 2,3,4,10-TETRAHAPTO ADDUCTS
LA Paquette, SV Ley, S Maiorana, DF Schneider, MJ Broadhurst, RA Boggs
Journal of the American Chemical Society
(2002)
97
(doi: 10.1021/ja00849a031)
Alkali Metal Reduction Studies of cis- and trans-Bicyclo[6.1.0]nona-2,4,6-trienes in Liquid Ammonia. Evidence for the High Basicity of Monohomocyclooctatetraene Dianions
SV Ley, LA Paquette
Journal of the American Chemical Society
(2002)
96
(doi: 10.1021/ja00828a021)
Directed Syntheses of the Isomeric Dimethylcyclooctatetraenes and a Study of Their Polarographic and Alkali Metal Reduction
LA Paquette, SV Ley, RH Meisinger, RK Russell, M Oku
Journal of the American Chemical Society
(2002)
96
(doi: 10.1021/ja00825a019)
Efficient synthesis of (-)-triquinacene-2-carboxylic acid
LA Paquette, SV Ley, WB Farnham
Journal of the American Chemical Society
(2002)
96
(doi: 10.1021/ja00808a081)

Research Interest Groups

Telephone number

01223 336398

Email address

svl1000@cam.ac.uk

College

Trinity College

Papers of Interest

Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry
Lensfield Road
Cambridge
CB2 1EW
T: +44 (0) 1223 336300
enquiries@ch.cam.ac.uk
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