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
Cyclisation reactions of alkenyl β-ketoesters involving a novel phenylseleno group migration
Tetrahedron Letters
(1981)
22
2601
Oxygen atom transfer from iodylbenzene to diphenyl diselenide - A convenient method for dehydrogenation of steroidal 3-ketones
Chemical Communications
(1981)
1044
(doi: 10.1039/C39810001044)
Synthesis of a trans-decalin as a potential insect antifeedant
Journal of the Chemical Society, Chemical Communications
(1981)
1001
(doi: 10.1039/c39810001001)
Synthesis of cinnamolide and polygodial
Journal of the Chemical Society, Chemical Communications
(1981)
507
(doi: 10.1039/c39810000507)
A CONVENIENT PREPARATION OF 2-HALOENONES FROM ENONES USING PHENYLSELENIUM HALIDES
Tetrahedron Letters
(1981)
22
3301
Synthesis of euryfuran, valdiviolide, and confertifolin
Tetrahedron Letters
(1981)
22
4747
The synthesis and Diels-Alder reactions of 2-prop-2-enylidene-1,3-dioxolan
JOURNAL OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY-PERKIN TRANSACTIONS 1
(1981)
1582
(doi: 10.1039/p19810001582)
Preparation of lactones via tricarbonyliron–lactone complexes
Journal of the Chemical Society Perkin Transactions 1
(1981)
270
(doi: 10.1039/p19810000270)
AN INTRAMOLECULAR DIELS-ALDER APPROACH TO THE SYNTHESIS OF THE RIGHT HAND HALF OF THE IONOPHORE ANTIBIOTIC X-14547A
Tetrahedron Letters
(1981)
22
361
(doi: 10.1016/0040-4039(81)80099-8)
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