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
SV Ley, D Neuhaus, NS Simpkins, AJ Whittle
J CHEM SOC PERK T 1
(1982)
A practical catalytic method for the preparation of steroidal 1,4-dien-3-ones by oxygen atom transfer from iodoxybenzene to diphenyl diselenide
DHR Barton, CRA Godfrey, JW Morzycki, WB Motherwell, SV Ley
Journal of the Chemical Society Perkin Transactions 1
(1982)
Synthesis of substituted cis-decalins as potential insect antifeedants
WP Jackson, SV Ley
Journal of the Chemical Society, Perkin Transactions 1
(1981)
On the reaction of thioacetals with sulphuryl chloride
PC Bulman-Page, SV Ley, JA Morton, DJ Williams
Journal of the Chemical Society, Perkin Transactions 1
(1981)
Experiments on the synthesis of tetracycline. Part 16. Improved photocyclic preparation of 12-keto-derivatives and their deprotection using benzeneseleninic anhydride
DHR Barton, MT Bielska, JM Cardoso, NJ Cussans, SV Ley
JOURNAL OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY-PERKIN TRANSACTIONS 1
(1981)
Oxidation of phenols, pyrocatechols, and hydroquinones to ortho -quinones using benzeneseleninic anhydride
DHR Barton, AG Brewster, SV Ley, CM Read, MN Rosenfeld
J CHEM SOC PERK T 1
(1981)
The synthesis and Diels–Alder reactions of 2-prop-2-enylidene-1,3-dioxolan
SV Ley, WL Mitchell, TV Radhakrishnan, DHR Barton
JOURNAL OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY-PERKIN TRANSACTIONS 1
(1981)
Synthesis of (±)warburganal
SV Ley, M Mahon
Tetrahedron Letters
(1981)
22
Oxygen atom transfer from iodylbenzene to diphenyl diselenide - A convenient method for dehydrogenation of steroidal 3-ketones
DHR Barton, JW Morzycki, WB Motherwell, SV Ley
Journal of the Chemical Society, Chemical Communications
(1981)
Diaryl telluroxides as new mild oxidising reagents
SV Ley, CA Meerholz, DHR Barton
Tetrahedron
(1981)
37

Research Group

Telephone number

01223 336398

Email address