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

Continuous preparation of arylmagnesium reagents in flow with inline IR monitoring
T Brodmann, P Koos, A Metzger, P Knochel, SV Ley - Organic Process Research and Development (
2012)
16, 1102
(DOI:
10.1021/op200275d)
A flow-based synthesis of 2-aminoadamantane-2-carboxylic acid
C Battilocchio, IR Baxendale, M Biava, MO Kitching, SV Ley - Organic Process Research and Development (
2012)
16, 798
(DOI:
10.1021/op300084z)
Increased endothelial cell selectivity of triazole-bridged dihalogenated A-ring analogues of combretastatin A-1.
TM Beale, PJ Bond, JD Brenton, DS Charnock-Jones, SV Ley, RM Myers - Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry (
2012)
20, 1749
(DOI:
10.1016/j.bmc.2012.01.010)
A-Ring Dihalogenation Increases the Cellular Activity of Combretastatin-Templated Tetrazoles
TM Beale, DM Allwood, A Bender, PJ Bond, JD Brenton, DS Charnock-Jones, SV Ley, RM Myers, JW Shearman, J Temple, J Unger, CA Watts, J Xian - ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters (
2012)
3, 177
(DOI:
10.1021/ml200149g)
The Oxygen-Mediated Synthesis of 1,3-Butadiynes in Continuous Flow: Using Teflon AF-2400 to Effect Gas/Liquid Contact
TP Petersen, A Polyzos, M O'Brien, T Ulven, IR Baxendale, SV Ley - ChemSusChem (
2012)
5, 274
(DOI:
10.1002/cssc.201100339)
A total synthesis of millingtonine A.
J Wegner, SV Ley, A Kirschning, AL Hansen, JM Garcia, IR Baxendale - Organic Letters (
2012)
14, 696
(DOI:
10.1021/ol203158p)
Scale-up of flow-assisted synthesis of C 2-symmetric chiral PyBox ligands
C Battilocchio, M Baumann, IR Baxendale, M Biava, MO Kitching, SV Ley, RE Martin, SA Ohnmacht, NDC Tappin - Synthesis (
2012)
44, 635
(DOI:
10.1055/s-0031-1289676)
The Lab of the Future. the importance of remote monitoring and control
MD Hopkin, IR Baxendale, SV Ley - Chimica Oggi/Chemistry Today (2012) 30, 24
Scale-Up of Flow-Assisted Synthesis of C 2-Symmetric Chiral PyBox Ligands
C Battilocchio, M Baumann, IR Baxendale, M Biava, MO Kitching, SV Ley, RE Martin, SA Ohnmacht, NDC Tappin - Synthesis (2012)
Scale-up of flow-assisted synthesis of C 2-symmetric chiral PyBox ligands
C Battilocchio, M Baumann, IR Baxendale, M Biava, MO Kitching, SV Ley, RE Martin, SA Ohnmacht, NDC Tappin - Synthesis (2012) 44, 635