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.
R Downham, PJ Edwards, DA Entwistle, AB Hughes, KS Kim, SV Ley
Tetrahedron Asymmetry
(1995)
6
“Connectivist” approach to organic structure determination Lsd-program assisted Nmr analysis of the insect antifeedant Azadirachtin
SV Ley, K Doberty, G Massiot, J-M Nuzillard
Tetrahedron
(1994)
50
Dispiroketals in synthesis (Part 13): Functionalised dispiroketals as new chiral auxiliaries; highly stereoselective diels-alder reactions using a bifunctional, C2- symmetrical chiral auxiliary
BCB Bezuidenhoudt, GH Castle, JV Geden, SV Ley
Tetrahedron Letters
(1994)
35
Dispiroketals in synthesis (Part 12): Functionalised dispiroketals as new chiral auxiliaries; the synthesis of dihydroxylated dispiroketals in optically pure form
BCB Bezuidenhoudt, GH Castle, SV Ley
Tetrahedron Letters
(1994)
35
Dispiroketals in synthesis (Part 11): Concomitant enantioselective and regioselective protection of 2,5- dibenzoyl-myo-inositol
PJ Edwards, DA Entwistle, C Genicot, KS Kim, SV Ley
Tetrahedron Letters
(1994)
35
Dispiroketals in synthesis (Part 14): Functionalised dispiroketals as new chiral auxiliaries; highly stereoselective Michael additions to a bifunctional, C2- symmetrical chiral auxiliary
GH Castle, SV Ley
Tetrahedron Letters
(1994)
35
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.
RB Grossman, SV Ley
Tetrahedron
(1994)
50
SELECTIVE ACYLATION AND ALKYLATION REACTIONS OF DIOLS USING DIBUTYLTIN DIMETHOXIDE (PG 913, 1993)
CJ BOONS, GH CASTLE, JA CLASE, P GRICE, SV LEY, C PINEL
SYNLETT
(1994)
CHEMISTRY OF INSECT ANTIFEEDANTS FROM AZADIRACHTA-INDICA .16. SYNTHESIS OF SEVERAL DERIVATIVES OF AZADIRACHTIN CONTAINING FLUORESCENT OR IMMUNOGENIC REPORTER GROUPS
RB Grossman, SV Ley
Tetrahedron
(1994)
50
Sexual development of malaria parasites is inhibited in vitro by the Neem extract Azadirachtin, and its semi-synthetic analogues
I Jones
FEMS Microbiology Letters
(1994)
120

Research Group

Telephone number

01223 336398

Email address