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
Synthesis of polyoxygenated trans -decalins as potential insect antifeedants
J CHEM SOC PERK T 1
(1982)
2157
(doi: 10.1039/p19820002157)
A practical catalytic method for the preparation of steroidal 1,4-dien-3-ones by oxygen atom transfer from iodoxybenzene to diphenyl diselenide
Journal of the Chemical Society Perkin Transactions 1
(1982)
1947
(doi: 10.1039/p19820001947)
Synthesis of substituted cis-decalins as potential insect antifeedants
Journal of the Chemical Society, Perkin Transactions 1
(1981)
1516
(doi: 10.1039/p19810001516)
On the reaction of thioacetals with sulphuryl chloride
Journal of the Chemical Society, Perkin Transactions 1
(1981)
457
(doi: 10.1039/P19810000457)
Experiments on the synthesis of tetracycline. Part 16. Improved photocyclic preparation of 12-keto-derivatives and their deprotection using benzeneseleninic anhydride
JOURNAL OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY-PERKIN TRANSACTIONS 1
(1981)
1840
(doi: 10.1039/p19810001840)
Oxidation of phenols, pyrocatechols, and hydroquinones to ortho -quinones using benzeneseleninic anhydride
J CHEM SOC PERK T 1
(1981)
1473
(doi: 10.1039/p19810001473)
The synthesis and Diels–Alder reactions of 2-prop-2-enylidene-1,3-dioxolan
JOURNAL OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY-PERKIN TRANSACTIONS 1
(1981)
1582
(doi: 10.1039/P19810001582)
Oxygen atom transfer from iodylbenzene to diphenyl diselenide - A convenient method for dehydrogenation of steroidal 3-ketones
Journal of the Chemical Society, Chemical Communications
(1981)
1044
(doi: 10.1039/c39810001044)
Diaryl telluroxides as new mild oxidising reagents
Tetrahedron
(1981)
37
213
(doi: 10.1016/0040-4020(81)85057-0)
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