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
USE OF 2-PHENYLSULFONYL CYCLIC ETHERS IN THE PREPARATION OF TETRAHYDROPYRAN AND TETRAHYDROFURAN ACETALS AND IN SOME GLYCOSIDATION REACTIONS
Tetrahedron
(1991)
47
1329
SYNTHESIS OF INSECT ANTIFEEDANTS
PESTICIDE CHEMISTRY : ADVANCES IN INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND LEGISLATION
(1991)
97
SYNTHESIS OF TETRAHYDROPYRAN-CONTAINING NATURAL-PRODUCTS
HETEROCYCLES IN BIO-ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(1991)
1
Microbial oxidation in synthesis: Preparation of novel 3-substituted cis-cyctohexa-3, 5-diene-1, 2-diol Derivatives from (1S, 2S)-3-bromocyclohexa-3, 5-diene-1, 2-diol
Synlett
(1991)
1991
741
(doi: 10.1055/s-1991-34764)
NOVEL ROUTES TO INOSITOL PHOSPHATES USING PSEUDOMONAS-PUTIDA OXIDATION OF ARENES
ACS SYMPOSIUM SERIES
(1991)
463
132
NOVEL ROUTES TO INOSITOL PHOSPHATES USING PSEUDOMONAS-PUTIDA OXIDATION OF ARENES
INOSITOL PHOSPHATES AND DERIVATIVES
(1991)
463
132
Total synthesis of the anthelmintic macrolide avermectin B1a
J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. 1
(1991)
667
(doi: 10.1039/p19910000667)
Chapter 7 The Champagne Route to Avermectins and Milbemycins
(1991)
3
237
Direct Substitution of 2-Phenylsulphonylpyrrolidines, -piperidines, -tetrahydrofurans and -tetrahydropyrans by Alkyl Organometallic Reagents in Dichloromethane
Synlett
(1990)
1990
749
(doi: 10.1055/s-1990-21237)
DIRECT SUBSTITUTION OF 2-PHENYLSULPHONYLPYRROLIDINES, 2-PHENYLSULPHONYLPIPERIDINES, 2-PHENYLSULPHONYLTETRAHYDROFURANS AND 2-PHENYLSULPHONYLTETRAHYDROPYRANS BY ALKYL ORGANOMETALLIC REAGENTS IN DICHLOROMETHANE
SYNLETT
(1990)
749
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