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

(S)-5-pyrrolidin-2-yl-1H-tetrazole
V Aureggi, V Franckevičius, MO Kitching, SV Ley, DA Longbottom, AJ Oelke, G Sedelmeier - Organic Syntheses (2008) 85, 72
PtCl4-catalyzed domino synthesis of fused bicyclic acetals
A Dieguez-Vazquez, CC Tzschucke, WY Lam, SV Ley - Angew Chem Int Ed Engl (
2008)
47, 209
(DOI:
10.1002/anie.200704595)
Practical organocatalysis with (S)- and (r)-5-pyrrolidin-2-yl-1H-tetrazoles
DA Longbottom, V Franckevicius, S Kumarn, AJ Oelke, V Wascholowski, SV Ley - Aldrichimica Acta (2008) 41, 3
New tools for molecule makers: Emerging technologies
SV Ley - VDI Berichte (2008), 5
Microreactors in organic synthesis and catalysis
IR Baxendale, JJ Hayward, CD Smith, SV Ley, S Lanners - (2008)
Methyliminodiacetic acid (MIDA) protected boronates: A new strategy for organic synthesis
CF Carter, SV Ley - Chemtracts (2008) 21, 457
Facile, one-step production of niacin (Vitamin B-3) and other nitrogen-containing pharmaceutical chemicals with a single-site heterogeneous catalyst
R Raja, JM Thomas, M Greenhill-Hooper, SV Ley, FAA Paz - Chemistry (
2008)
14, 2340
(DOI:
10.1002/chem.200701679)
Facile, one-step production of niacin (vitamin B3) and other nitrogen-containing pharmaceutical chemicals with a single-site heterogeneous catalyst
R Raja, JM Thomas, M Greenhill-Hooper, SV Ley, FA Almeida Paz - Chemistry - A European Journal (2008) 14, 2340
A general organocatalytic enantioselective malonate addition to α,β-unsaturated enones
V Wascholowski, KR Knudsen, CET Mitchell, SV Ley - Chemistry - A European Journal (2008) 14, 6155
A general organocatalytic enantioselective malonate addition to alpha,beta-unsaturated enones.
V Wascholowski, KR Knudsen, CET Mitchell, SV Ley - Chemistry (
2008)
14, 6155
(DOI:
10.1002/chem.200800673)