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

Award Address (Arthur C. Cope Award sponsored by the Arthur C. Cope Fund). Natural product synthesis as an inspiration for discovery
S Ley
ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2018)
256
A Versatile Route to Unstable Diazo Compounds via Oxadiazolines and their Use in Aryl–Alkyl Cross‐Coupling Reactions
A Greb, J Poh, S Greed, C Battilocchio, P Pasau, DC Blakemore, SV Ley
Angewandte Chemie
(2017)
129
Visible-Light-Mediated Annulation of Electron-Rich Alkenes and Nitrogen-Centered Radicals from N-Sulfonylallylamines: Construction of Chloromethylated Pyrrolidine Derivatives.
LNS Crespin, A Greb, DC Blakemore, SV Ley
The Journal of Organic Chemistry
(2017)
82
A Lewis Base Catalysis Approach for the Photoredox Activation of Boronic Acids and Esters.
F Lima, UK Sharma, L Grunenberg, D Saha, S Johannsen, J Sedelmeier, EV Van der Eycken, SV Ley
Angewandte Chemie International Edition
(2017)
56
A Versatile Route to Unstable Diazo Compounds via Oxadiazolines and their Use in Aryl–Alkyl Cross‐Coupling Reactions
A Greb, J-S Poh, S Greed, C Battilocchio, P Pasau, DC Blakemore, SV Ley
Angewandte Chemie International Edition
(2017)
56
Continuous Preparation and Use of Dibromoformaldoxime as a Reactive Intermediate for the Synthesis of 3-Bromoisoxazolines
C Battilocchio, F Bosica, SM Rowe, B Lacerda Abreu, E Godineau, M Lehmann, SV Ley
Organic Process Research & Development
(2017)
21
Rapid Continuous Ruthenium-Catalysed Transfer Hydrogenation of Aromatic Nitriles to Primary Amines
R labes, DG Calderon, C Battilocchio, C Mateos, GR Cumming, O de Frutos, JA Rincon, SV Ley
Synlett
(2017)
28
Chemoselective Continuous Ru-Catalyzed Hydrogen-transfer Oppenauer-type Oxidation of Secondary Alcohols
R Labes, C Battilocchio, C Mateos, GR Cumming, O de Frutos, JA Rincón, K Binder, SV Ley
Organic Process Research & Development
(2017)
21
Unveiling the role of boroxines in metal-free carbon-carbon homologations using diazo compounds and boronic acids
C Bomio-Confaglia, Ley, Kabeshov, Battilocchio, lau, lit, ehlert
Chemical Science
(2017)
8
Flow synthesis of cyclobutanones $\textit{via}$ [2 + 2] cycloaddition of keteneiminium salts and ethylene gas
C Battilocchio, G Iannucci, S Wang, E Godineau, A Krieger, A De Mesmaeker, SV Ley
React. Chem. Eng.
(2017)
2

Research Group

Telephone number

01223 336398

Email address