Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry

Professor Steve Ley CBE FRS FMedSci

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

Total synthesis of rapamycin.
SV Ley, MN Tackett, ML Maddess, JC Anderson, PE Brennan, MW Cappi, JP Heer, C Helgen, M Kori, C Kouklovsky, SP Marsden, J Norman, DP Osborn, MA Palomero, JBJ Pavey, C Pinel, LA Robinson, J Schnaubelt, JS Scott, CD Spilling, H Watanabe, KE Wesson, MC Willis
Chemistry - A European Journal
(2009)
15
(doi: 10.1002/chem.200801656)
Second-generation synthesis of azadirachtin: A concise preparation of the propargylic mesylate fragment
A Boyer, GE Veitch, E Beckmann, SV Ley
Angewandte Chemie International Edition
(2009)
48
(doi: 10.1002/anie.200805395)
Highly diastereoselective desymmetrisation of cyclic meso-anhydrides and derivatisation for use in natural product synthesis.
AC Evans, DA Longbottom, M Matsuoka, JE Davies, R Turner, V Franckevicius, SV Ley
Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry
(2009)
7
(doi: 10.1039/b813494d)
Stereoselective synthesis of inositol phosphates
SV Ley
Pure and Applied Chemistry
(2009)
62
(doi: 10.1351/pac199062102031)
Recent developments in natural product synthesis
SV Ley
Pure and Applied Chemistry
(2009)
61
(doi: 10.1351/pac198961030401)
Development of methods suitable for natural product synthesis: The azadirachtin story
SV Ley
Pure and Applied Chemistry
(2009)
77
(doi: 10.1351/pac200577071115)
Synthesis and chemistry of the insect antifeedant azadirachtin
SV Ley
Pure and Applied Chemistry
(2009)
66
(doi: 10.1351/pac199466102099)
Tricarbonyliron lactone complexes in organic synthesis
SV Ley
Pure and Applied Chemistry
(2009)
66
(doi: 10.1351/pac199466071415)
Natural-Product-Like Spiroketals and Fused Bicyclic Acetals as Potential Therapeutic Agents for B-Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia
L-G Milroy, G Zinzalla, F Loiseau, Z Qian, G Prencipe, C Pepper, C Fegan, SV Ley
ChemMedChem
(2008)
3
(doi: 10.1002/cmdc.200800265)
Methyliminodiacetic acid (MIDA) protected boronates: A new strategy for organic synthesis
CF Carter, SV Ley
Chemtracts
(2008)
21

Research Group

Research Interest Groups

Telephone number

01223 336398

Email address

svl1000@cam.ac.uk

College

Trinity College
Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry
Lensfield Road
Cambridge
CB2 1EW
T: +44 (0) 1223 336300
enquiries@ch.cam.ac.uk
Contacts
Directions

Privacy and cookie policy

About the Department

Departmental Services

Study at Cambridge

About the University

Research at Cambridge