In the Ley Group, we specialise in developing new synthesis methods and applying them to the construction of biologically important molecules. Over the last 4 years we have completed the total synthesis of 38 natural products including spongistatin 1 (anti-mitotic agent), rapamycin (immunosuppressant), thapsigargin (SERCA pumps inhibitor), azadirachtin (insect antifeedant) and bengazole A (fungicide), taking our group total to 140 completed total syntheses. In addition to our research on natural product synthesis, we have the Innovative Technology Centre (ITC); a new state-of-the-art flow chemistry facility. Our group is also part of the CRUK PhD Training Programme in Medicinal Chemistry.
For more detailed research information, group members and our publication list please see the group website
Total Synthesis of Rapamycin
SV Ley, MN Tackett, ML Maddess, JC Anderson, PE Brennan, MW Cappi, JP Heer, C Helgen, M Kori, C Kouklovsky, SP Marsden, J Norman, DP Osborn, MA Palomero, JBJ Pavey, C Pinel, LA Robinson, J Schnaubelt, JS Scott, CD Spilling, H Watanabe, KE Wesson, MC Willis - Chemistry (
2009)
15, 2874
(DOI:
10.1002/chem.200801656)
Synthesis of Azadirachtin: A long but successful journey
GE Veitch, E Beckmann, BJ Burke, A Boyer, SL Maslen, SV Ley - Chemtracts (2009) 22, 214
Second-generation synthesis of azadirachtin: a concise preparation of the propargylic mesylate fragment.
A Boyer, GE Veitch, E Beckmann, SV Ley - Angew Chem Int Ed Engl (
2009)
48, 1317
(DOI:
10.1002/anie.200805395)
Multistep synthesis using modular flow reactors: Bestmann-Ohira reagent for the formation of alkynes and triazoles.
IR Baxendale, SV Ley, AC Mansfield, CD Smith - Angew Chem Int Ed Engl (
2009)
48, 4017
(DOI:
10.1002/anie.200900970)
An efficient and transition metal free protocol for the transfer hydrogenation of ketones as a continuous flow process
J Sedelmeier, SV Ley, IR Baxendale - Green Chemistry (
2009)
11, 683
(DOI:
10.1039/b821752a)
Natural-product-like spiroketals and fused bicyclic acetals as potential therapeutic agents for B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
LG Milroy, G Zinzalla, F Loiseau, ZZ Qian, G Prencipe, C Pepper, C Fegan, SV Ley - ChemMedChem (
2008)
3, 1922
(DOI:
10.1002/cmdc.200800265)
A Bifurcated Pathway to Thiazoles and Imidazoles Using a Modular Flow Microreactor
IR Baxendale, SV Ley, CD Smith, L Tamborini, AF Voica - J Comb Chem (
2008)
10, 851
(DOI:
10.1021/cc800070a)
Magnesium Nitride as a Convenient Source of Ammonia: Preparation of Pyrroles
GE Veitch, KL Bridgwood, K Rands-Trevor, SV Ley - Synlett (
2008), 2597
(DOI:
10.1055/s-0028-1083504)
Enantiopure 2-Substituted Glyceraidehyde Derivatives by Aza-Claisen Rearrangement or C-Alkylation of Enamines
KL Bridgwood, CC Tzschucke, M O'Brien, S Wittrock, JM Goodman, JE Davies, AWJ Logan, MRM Huttl, SV Ley - Organic Letters (
2008)
10, {4537-4540}
(DOI:
10.1021/ol8018242)
The use of diethylaminosulfur trifluoride (DAST) for fluorination in a continuous-flow microreactor
M Baumann, IR Baxendale, SV Ley - Synlett (
2008), 2111
(DOI:
10.1055/s-2008-1078026)
