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
Azadirachtin: structural requirements for reducing growth and increasing mortality in lepidopterous larvae.
CrossRef Listing of Deleted DOIs
(1990)
55
169
Antifeedant effects of azadirachtin and structurally related compounds on lepidopterous larvae.
Entomologia experimentalis et applicata.
(1990)
55
149
Alkenylcyclic sulphites as novel precursors for the preparation of π-allyltricarbonyliron lactone complexes
Synlett
(1990)
1990
224
(doi: 10.1055/s-1990-21044)
INSECT ANTIFEEDANTS
CHEM BRIT
(1990)
26
31
Microbial oxidation in synthesis: preparation of myo-inositol phosphates and related cyclitol derivatives from benzene
Tetrahedron
(1990)
46
4995
TPAP: Tetra-n-propylammonium perruthenate, a mild and convenient oxidant for alcohols
Aldrichimica Acta
(1990)
23
13
SYNTHESIS OF ANTIFEEDANTS FOR INSECTS - NOVEL BEHAVIOR-MODIFYING CHEMICALS FROM PLANTS
CIBA F SYMP
(1990)
154
80
Assessment of butene-1,4-diols as starting materials for the preparation of π-Allyltricarbonyliron complexes
Tetrahedron
(1990)
46
4063
CHEMISTRY OF INSECT ANTIFEEDANTS FROM AZADIRACHTA-INDICA .7. PREPARATION OF AN OPTICALLY PURE HYDROXYACETAL EPOXIDE RELATED TO AZADIRACHTIN
Tetrahedron Letters
(1990)
31
3437
Neo-clerodane insect antifeedants from Scutellaria galericulata
Phytochemistry
(1990)
29
1793
(doi: 10.1016/0031-9422(90)85018-B)
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