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
Dispiroketals in synthesis (part 19)1: Dispiroketals as enantioselective and regioselective protective agents for symmetric cyclic and acyclic polyols.
Tetrahedron Asymmetry
(1995)
6
2403
(doi: 10.1016/0957-4166(95)00318-J)
“Connectivist” approach to organic structure determination Lsd-program assisted Nmr analysis of the insect antifeedant Azadirachtin
Tetrahedron
(1994)
50
12267
Dispiroketals in synthesis (Part 13): Functionalised dispiroketals as new chiral auxiliaries; highly stereoselective diels-alder reactions using a bifunctional, C2- symmetrical chiral auxiliary
Tetrahedron Letters
(1994)
35
7451
(doi: 10.1016/0040-4039(94)85339-8)
Dispiroketals in synthesis (Part 12): Functionalised dispiroketals as new chiral auxiliaries; the synthesis of dihydroxylated dispiroketals in optically pure form
Tetrahedron Letters
(1994)
35
7447
(doi: 10.1016/0040-4039(94)85338-x)
Dispiroketals in synthesis (Part 11): Concomitant enantioselective and regioselective protection of 2,5- dibenzoyl-myo-inositol
Tetrahedron Letters
(1994)
35
7443
(doi: 10.1016/0040-4039(94)85337-1)
Dispiroketals in synthesis (Part 14): Functionalised dispiroketals as new chiral auxiliaries; highly stereoselective Michael additions to a bifunctional, C2- symmetrical chiral auxiliary
Tetrahedron Letters
(1994)
35
7455
(doi: 10.1016/0040-4039(94)85340-1)
Chemistry of insect antifeedants from Azadirachta indica (Part 17): Synthesis of model compounds of azadirachtin. Unusual effect of remote substituents on the course of the oxidative ring contraction reaction.
Tetrahedron
(1994)
50
11553
SELECTIVE ACYLATION AND ALKYLATION REACTIONS OF DIOLS USING DIBUTYLTIN DIMETHOXIDE (PG 913, 1993)
SYNLETT
(1994)
764
CHEMISTRY OF INSECT ANTIFEEDANTS FROM AZADIRACHTA-INDICA .16. SYNTHESIS OF SEVERAL DERIVATIVES OF AZADIRACHTIN CONTAINING FLUORESCENT OR IMMUNOGENIC REPORTER GROUPS
Tetrahedron
(1994)
50
8871
Sexual development of malaria parasites is inhibited in vitro by the Neem extract Azadirachtin, and its semi-synthetic analogues
FEMS Microbiology Letters
(1994)
120
267
(doi: 10.1016/0378-1097(94)90482-0)
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