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
M Gurský, D Trnovcová, P Lopatka, M Markovič, P Koóš, SV Ley, T Gracza
The Journal of organic chemistry
(2025)
90
Straightforward, Scalable, Solution-Phase Synthesis of Peptide Bonds in Flow.
ZE Wilson, E Lopez, NJ Flodén, C Watkins, G Bianchini, SV Ley
J Flow Chem
(2025)
15
Carbonylative transformations with Pd catalysts supported on bio-degradable urea-based polymer – Part A
M Markovič, P Lopatka, P Koóš, T Soták, A Ház, T Gracza, SV Ley, M Králik
Catalysis Today
(2024)
441
Palladium catalysts supported on biodegradable urea-based polymers in synthesis with CO – Part B
M Markovič, P Lopatka, P Koóš, T Soták, A Ház, T Gracza, SV Ley, M Králik
Catalysis Today
(2024)
440
Antascomicin B stabilizes FKBP51-Akt1 complexes as a molecular glue.
SC Schäfer, AM Voll, A Bracher, SV Ley, F Hausch
Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters
(2024)
104
Continuous flow synthesis enabling reaction discovery.
AI Alfano, J García-Lacuna, OM Griffiths, SV Ley, M Baumann
Chemical Science
(2024)
15
Nitro-sulfinate Reductive Coupling to Access (Hetero)aryl Sulfonamides.
SE Gatarz, OM Griffiths, HA Esteves, W Jiao, P Morse, EL Fisher, DC Blakemore, SV Ley
Journal of Organic Chemistry
(2024)
89
Photoredox-Catalyzed Preparation of Sulfones Using Bis-Piperidine Sulfur Dioxide - An Underutilized Reagent for SO2 Transfer
OM Griffiths, HA Esteves, DC Emmet, SV Ley
Chemistry – A European Journal
(2024)
30
Automated multistep synthesis of 2-pyrazolines in continuous flow
SV Ley, R Labes, JC Pastre, RJ Ingham, C Battilocchio, HM Marçon, MCFCB Damião, DN Tran
Reaction Chemistry & Engineering
(2023)
9
The Evolution of Flow Chemistry: An Opinion on Factors Driving Innovation.
SL Bourne, F Amann, SV Ley
Chimia
(2023)
77

Research Group

Telephone number

01223 336398

Email address