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
Journal of the Chemical Society Perkin Transactions 1
(1984)
A NEW ROUTE TO SPIRO-KETALS USING THE HORNER-WITTIG REACTION OF 2-DIPHENYLPHOSPHINOXY CYCLIC ETHERS
SV Ley, B Lygo
Tetrahedron Letters
(1984)
25
SYNTHESIS OF (+/-)-CIS-6-METHYLTETRAHYDROPYRAN-2-YLACETIC ACID, A NATURAL PRODUCT FROM VIVERRA-CIVETTA, USING ORGANOSELENIUM-MEDIATED CYCLIZATION REACTIONS
SV Ley, B Lygo, H Molines
J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. 1
(1984)
The use of 3-acetoxy-1-trimethylsilylbutadiene in the synthesis of anthracyclinone derivatives
PC Bulman-Page, SV Ley
Journal of the Chemical Society Perkin Transactions 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)
π-Allyltricarbonyliron lactone complexes in synthesis: application to the synthesis of the β-lactam antibiotic (+)-thienamycin
ST Hodgson, DM Hollinshead, SV Ley
J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun.
(1984)
Synthesis of β-lactams from π-allyltricarbonyliron (lactone) complexes
GD Annis, EM Hebblethwaite, ST Hodgson, DM Hollinshead, SV Ley
J CHEM SOC PERK T 1
(1983)
The Diels-Alder route to drimane related sesquiterpenes; synthesis of cinnamolide, polygodial, isodrimeninol, drimenin and warburganal
DM Hollinshead, SC Howell, SV Ley, M Mahon, NM Ratcliffe, PA Worthington
J CHEM SOC PERK T 1
(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