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
A new route to functionalised pi-allyltricarbonyliron lactam complexes from aziridines and their use in stereoselective synthesis and oxidative conversion to beta-lactams
Chemical Communications
(1998)
1995
(doi: 10.1039/a806236f)
Molybdenum(II)- and tungsten(II)-catalyzed allylic substitution
ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(1998)
216
U548
Clean three-step synthesis of 4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazoles starting from alcohols using polymer supported reagents
J CHEM SOC PERK T 1
(1998)
2235
(doi: 10.1039/a803609h)
Development of a polymer bound Wittig reaction and use in multi-step organic synthesis for the overall conversion of alcohols to β-hydroxyamines
JOURNAL OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY-PERKIN TRANSACTIONS 1
(1998)
2243
(doi: 10.1039/a803612h)
Use of polymer supported reagents for clean multi-step organic synthesis: Preparation of amines and amine derivatives from alcohols for use in compound library generation
J CHEM SOC PERK T 1
(1998)
2239
(doi: 10.1039/a803611j)
Synthesis of the acyltetronic acid ionophore tetronasin (ICI M139603)
J CHEM SOC PERK T 1
(1998)
2259
(doi: 10.1039/a804170i)
Stereoelectronic effects in the reactions of conformationally restricted, substituted cyclohexane-1,2-diones with 1,2-diols
Tetrahedron: Asymmetry
(1998)
9
2471
Mukaiyama aldol reactions of π-allyltricarbonyliron lactone and lactam complexes bearing trimethylsilyl enol ether side-chains.: Not just formal, but genuine 1,7 induction of chirality
Chemical Communications
(1998)
1339
(doi: 10.1039/a802878h)
Highly diasteroselective synthesis of beta-hydroxy carbonyl compounds using pi-allyltricarbonyliron lactone complexes: a formal 1,7-asymmetric induction of chirality in a Mukaiyama aldol reaction (pg 227, 1998)
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(1998)
851
A novel decomplexation of π-allyltricarbonyliron lactone complexes using borohydride reagents:: a new route to stereodefined acyclic 1,5-diols and 1,5,7-triols (pg 229, 1998)
CHEM COMMUN
(1998)
851
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