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 rearrangement of the ionophore antibiotic X-14547A (indanomycin) and related derivatives induced by lithium tetrafluoroborate
MP Edwards, SV Ley
J CHEM SOC PERK T 1
(1984)
π-allyltricarbonyliron lactone complexes in synthesis: Application to the synthesis of the β-lactam antibiotic (+)-thienamycin
ST Hodgson, DM Hollinshead, SV Ley
Journal of the Chemical Society Chemical Communications
(1984)
Oxo complexes of ruthenium(VI) and (VII) as organic oxidants
G Green, WP Griffith, DM Hollinshead, SV Ley, M Schröder
J CHEM SOC PERK T 1
(1984)
Synthesis of the spiroacetal unit related to the avermectins and milbemycins
J Godoy, SV Ley, B Lygo
Journal of the Chemical Society Chemical Communications
(1984)
Synthesis of spiroacetals using organoselenium-mediated cyclisation reactions. X-Ray molecular structure of (2S,8R)-8-methyl-2-phenyl-1,7- dioxaspiro-[5.5]undecan-4(R)-ol
AM Doherty, SV Ley, B Lygo, DJ Williams
JOURNAL OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY-PERKIN TRANSACTIONS 1
(1984)
Peterson olefination using phenylsulphonyltrimethylsilylmethane. A new preparation of vinylic sulphones
SV Ley, NS Simpkins
Chemical Communications
(1983)
The total synthesis of the clerodane diterpene insect antifeedant ajugarin I
SV Ley, NS Simpkins, AJ Whittle
Chemical Communications
(1983)
Total synthesis of the structurally unique ionophore antibiotic X-14547 A
MP Edwards, SV Ley, SG Lister, BD Palmer
Chemical Communications
(1983)
Regiospecific alkylation of β-ketothioesters and use in the synthesis of acyl-tetronic acids
PM Booth, CMJ Fox, SV Ley
Tetrahedron Letters
(1983)
24
Synthesis of the drimane-related sesquiterpenes euryfuran, confertifolin, and valdiviolide
SV Ley, M Mahon
Journal of the Chemical Society, Perkin Transactions 1
(1983)

Research Group

Telephone number

01223 336398

Email address