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
Practical Synthesis of (S)-Pyrrolidin-2-yl-1H-tetrazole, Incorporating Efficient Protecting Group Removal by Flow-Reactor Hydrogenolysis
Synlett
(2006)
2006
889
(doi: 10.1055/s-2006.939036)
Diastereoselective aldol reactions with butane-2,3-diacetal protected glyceraldehyde derivatives.
Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry
(2006)
4
1471
(doi: 10.1039/b601888b)
Double conjugate addition of dithiols to propargylic carbonyl systems to generate protected 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds
Journal of Organic Chemistry
(2006)
71
2715
(doi: 10.1021/jo052514s)
Preparation of the Neolignan Natural Product Grossamide by a Continuous-Flow Process
Synlett
(2006)
2006
427
(doi: 10.1055/s-2006-926244)
A new strategy for oligosaccharide assembly exploiting cyclohexane-1,2-diacetal methodology: An efficient synthesis of a high mannose type nonasaccharide
Chemistry – A European Journal
(2006)
3
431
(doi: 10.1002/chem.19970030315)
Diastereoselective aldol reactions with butane-2,3-diacetal protected glyceraldehyde derivatives (vol 4, pg 1471, 2006)
ORG BIOMOL CHEM
(2006)
4
1612
Asymmetric organocatalytic conjugate addition of malonates to enones using a proline tetrazole catalyst
Chemical Communications
(2005)
66
(doi: 10.1039/b514636d)
Defects in signal transduction caused by a T cell receptor beta chain substitution.
European Journal of Immunology
(2005)
20
1417
(doi: 10.1002/eji.1830200702)
Michael, Michael-aldol and Michael-Michael reactions of enolate equivalents of butane-2,3-diacetal protected glycolic acid derivatives.
Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry
(2005)
3
4095
(doi: 10.1039/b512410g)
Evolution or Revolution: The Challenge to the Modern Medicinal Chemist
(2005)
1
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