Department of Chemistry

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 31 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 120 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

Selected Publications

Chem. Eur. J. (2009), 15, 2874. Total Synthesis of Rapamycin

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. (2009), 48, 4017. MultiStep Synthesis using Modular Flow Reactors: Bestmann-Ohira Reagent for the Formation of Alkynes and Triazoles

Green Chem. (2009), 11, 683. An Efficient and Transition Metal Free Protocol for the Transfer Hydrogenation of Ketones as a Continuous Flow Process

Tetrahedron Lett. (2009), 50, 3287. A Microfluidic Flow Chemistry Platform for Organic Synthesis: the Hofmann Rearrangement

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. (2009), 48, 1317. Second-Generation Synthesis of Azadirachtin : A Concise Preparation of the Propargylic Mesylate Fragment,

Tetrahedron (2008), 64, 2348. Functionalised Butanediacetal Protected 1,2-Diols as Suitable Substrates for Pd- Catalysed Cross Coupling Reactions

Chem. Eur. J. (2008), 14, 10683. The Synthesis of Azadirachtin: A Potent Insect Antifeedant

Chem. Eur. J. (2008), 14, 6155. A General Organocatalytic Enantioselective Malonate Addition to α,β-Unsaturated Enones

Synlett, (2008), 9, 1293. FeCl3 Catalysed Cleavage of 2,3-Butanediacetal Protected Diols

Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. , (2005), 44, 2732. Total Synthesis of Antascomicin B

Tetrahedron (2008), 64, 2348. Functionalised Butanediacetal Protected 1,2-Diols as Suitable Substrates for Pd-Catalysed Cross Coupling Reactions