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
NOVEL ROUTES TO INOSITOL PHOSPHATES USING PSEUDOMONAS-PUTIDA OXIDATION OF ARENES
INOSITOL PHOSPHATES AND DERIVATIVES
(1991)
463
132
NOVEL ROUTES TO INOSITOL PHOSPHATES USING PSEUDOMONAS-PUTIDA OXIDATION OF ARENES
ACS SYM SER
(1991)
463
132
SYNTHESIS OF INSECT ANTIFEEDANTS
PESTICIDE CHEMISTRY : ADVANCES IN INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND LEGISLATION
(1991)
97
Microbial oxidation in synthesis: Preparation of novel 3-substituted cis-cyctohexa-3, 5-diene-1, 2-diol Derivatives from (1S, 2S)-3-bromocyclohexa-3, 5-diene-1, 2-diol
Synlett
(1991)
1991
741
(doi: 10.1055/s-1991-34764)
Chapter 7 The Champagne Route to Avermectins and Milbemycins
(1991)
3
237
DIRECT SUBSTITUTION OF 2-PHENYLSULPHONYLPYRROLIDINES, 2-PHENYLSULPHONYLPIPERIDINES, 2-PHENYLSULPHONYLTETRAHYDROFURANS AND 2-PHENYLSULPHONYLTETRAHYDROPYRANS BY ALKYL ORGANOMETALLIC REAGENTS IN DICHLOROMETHANE
SYNLETT
(1990)
749
An Efficient Three-Step Synthesis of L-(-)-Oleandrose from (S)-(-)-Methyl Lactate
Synlett
(1990)
1990
771
(doi: 10.1055/s-1990-21247)
Direct Substitution of 2-Phenylsulphonylpyrrolidines, -piperidines, -tetrahydrofurans and -tetrahydropyrans by Alkyl Organometallic Reagents in Dichloromethane
Synlett
(1990)
1990
749
(doi: 10.1055/s-1990-21237)
A new ruthenium(VI) oxidant: Preparation, X-ray crystal structure, and properties of (Ph4P)[RuO2(OAc)Cl2]
Journal of the Chemical Society, Chemical Communications
(1990)
1219
(doi: 10.1039/c39900001219)
SYNTHESIS OF BIOLOGICALLY-ACTIVE CYCLITOLS VIA MICROBIAL OXIDATION OF BENZENE
ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(1990)
200
42
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