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
Continuous Flow Techniques in the Total Synthesis of Jaspine B: Part II
The Journal of organic chemistry
(2025)
90
14186
(doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.5c01799)
Straightforward, Scalable, Solution-Phase Synthesis of Peptide Bonds in Flow.
J Flow Chem
(2025)
15
67
(doi: 10.1007/s41981-025-00347-2)
Carbonylative transformations with Pd catalysts supported on bio-degradable urea-based polymer – Part A
Catalysis Today
(2024)
441
114903
(doi: 10.1016/j.cattod.2024.114903)
Palladium catalysts supported on biodegradable urea-based polymers in synthesis with CO – Part B
Catalysis Today
(2024)
440
114831
(doi: 10.1016/j.cattod.2024.114831)
Antascomicin B stabilizes FKBP51-Akt1 complexes as a molecular glue.
Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters
(2024)
104
129728
(doi: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2024.129728)
Continuous flow synthesis enabling reaction discovery.
Chemical Science
(2024)
15
4618
(doi: 10.1039/d3sc06808k)
Nitro-sulfinate Reductive Coupling to Access (Hetero)aryl Sulfonamides.
Journal of Organic Chemistry
(2024)
89
1898
(doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.3c02557)
Photoredox-Catalyzed Preparation of Sulfones Using Bis-Piperidine Sulfur Dioxide - An Underutilized Reagent for SO2 Transfer
Chemistry – A European Journal
(2024)
30
e202303976
(doi: 10.1002/chem.202303976)
Automated multistep synthesis of 2-pyrazolines in continuous flow
Reaction Chemistry & Engineering
(2023)
9
558
(doi: 10.1039/D3RE00515A)
The Evolution of Flow Chemistry: An Opinion on Factors Driving Innovation.
Chimia
(2023)
77
288
(doi: 10.2533/chimia.2023.288)
- Page 1