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
A short and efficient stereoselective synthesis of the potent 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, CMI-977
Indian Journal of Chemistry Section B Organic and Medicinal Chemistry
(2001)
40
1043
Characterization of azadirachtin binding to Sf9 nuclei in vitro
Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology
(2001)
46
78
(doi: 10.1002/arch.11)
New polyethylene glycol polymers as ketal protecting groups - A polymer supported approach to symmetrically substituted spiroketals
Synthetic Communications
(2001)
31
2965
(doi: 10.1081/SCC-100105668)
The total synthesis of (+)-aspicilin using 2,3-butane diacetal protected butane tetrols via a chiral memory protocol
Canadian Journal of Chemistry
(2001)
79
1668
(doi: 10.1139/cjc-79-11-1668)
1,2-Diacetals: A New Opportunity for Organic Synthesis
Chemical reviews
(2000)
101
53
(doi: 10.1021/cr990101j)
A Rapid Approach for the Optimisation of Polymer Supported Reagents in Synthesis
Synlett
(2000)
2000
1603
(doi: 10.1055/s-2000-7917)
The synthesis of mono- and bicyclic ethers via acid catalysed ring-opening cyclisation of tetrahydropyranyl ether derivatives
Journal of the Chemical Society, Perkin Transactions 1
(2000)
1829
(doi: 10.1039/a909302h)
Oxygen to carbon rearrangements of anomerically linked alkenols from tetrahydropyran derivatives: An investigation of the reaction mechanism via a double isotopic labelling crossover study
Journal of the Chemical Society, Perkin Transactions 1
(2000)
1815
(doi: 10.1039/a909300a)
The use of pi-allyltricarbonyliron lactone complexes in the synthesis of the resorcylic macrolides alpha- and beta-zearalenol
Journal of the Chemical Society, Perkin Transactions 1
(2000)
3028
(doi: 10.1039/b005942k)
1,7-Asymmetric induction of chirality in a Mukaiyama aldol reaction using pi-allyltricarbonyliron lactone complexes: highly diastereoselective synthesis of alpha-substituted beta-hydroxy carbonyl compounds
JOURNAL OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY-PERKIN TRANSACTIONS 1
(2000)
1677
(doi: 10.1039/b002056g)
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