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
"Connectivist" approach to organic structure determination Lsd-program assisted Nmr analysis of the insect antifeedant Azadirachtin
Tetrahedron
(1994)
50
12267
Dispiroketals in synthesis (part 9): Resolution of 1,2-diols using a C2-symmetric diphenyltetrahydrobipyran.
Tetrahedron Asymmetry
(1994)
5
553
(doi: 10.1016/0957-4166(94)80016-2)
DISPIROKETALS IN SYNTHESIS .15. SIMULTANEOUS ENANTIOSELECTIVE AND REGIOSELECTIVE PROTECTION OF GLYCEROL BY REACTION WITH C-2 SYMMETRICAL (4S,4'S)-DIMETHYL-BIS-DIHYDROPYRAN
Synthesis
(1994)
1994
1275
(doi: 10.1055/s-1994-25680)
Tetrapronylammonium perruthenate, Pr4N+RuO4-, TPAP: A catalytic oxidant for organic synthesis
Synthesis
(1994)
1994
639
(doi: 10.1055/s-1994-25538)
CHEMISTRY OF INSECT ANTIFEEDANTS FROM AZADIRACHTA-INDICA .16. SYNTHESIS OF SEVERAL DERIVATIVES OF AZADIRACHTIN CONTAINING FLUORESCENT OR IMMUNOGENIC REPORTER GROUPS
Tetrahedron
(1994)
50
8871
Chemistry of insect antifeedants from Azadirachta indica (Part 17): Synthesis of model compounds of azadirachtin. Unusual effect of remote substituents on the course of the oxidative ring contraction reaction.
Tetrahedron
(1994)
50
11553
DISPIROKETALS IN SYNTHESIS .17. REGIOSELECTIVE PROTECTION OF D-GLUCOPYRANOSIDE, D-GALACTOPYRANOSIDE AND D-MANNOPYRANOSIDE SUBSTRATES
Tetrahedron Asymmetry
(1994)
5
2609
Dispiroketals in synthesis (part 10): Further reactions of dispoke protected lactate and glycolate enolates
Tetrahedron
(1994)
50
7157
Selective acylation and alkylation reactions of diols using dibutyltin dimethoxide
Synlett
(1993)
1993
913
(doi: 10.1055/s-1993-22650)
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