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
Highly diastereoselective desymmetrisation of cyclic meso -anhydrides and derivatisation for use in natural product synthesis
Organic & biomolecular chemistry
(2009)
7
747
(doi: 10.1039/b813494d)
Synthesis and chemistry of the insectantifeedant azadirachtin
Pure and Applied Chemistry
(2009)
66
2099
(doi: 10.1351/pac199466102099)
Tricarbonyliron lactone complexes in organic synthesis
Pure and Applied Chemistry
(2009)
66
1415
(doi: 10.1351/pac199466071415)
Recent developments in natural product synthesis
Pure and Applied Chemistry
(2009)
61
401
(doi: 10.1351/pac198961030401)
Propranol-therapy of subglottic haemangioma in an infant with fulminant respiratory distress
CLINICAL RESEARCH IN CARDIOLOGY
(2009)
98
604
Development of methods suitable for natural product synthesis: The azadirachtin story
Pure and Applied Chemistry
(2009)
77
1115
(doi: 10.1351/pac200577071115)
Stereoselective synthesis of inositol phosphates
Pure and Applied Chemistry
(2009)
62
2031
(doi: 10.1351/pac199062102031)
Natural‐Product‐Like Spiroketals and Fused Bicyclic Acetals as Potential Therapeutic Agents for B‐Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia
ChemMedChem
(2008)
3
1922
(doi: 10.1002/cmdc.200800265)
Methyliminodiacetic acid (MIDA) protected boronates: A new strategy for organic synthesis
Chemtracts
(2008)
21
457
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