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
WP Jackson, SV Ley, JA Morton
Tetrahedron Letters
(1981)
22
Synthesis of cinnamolide and polygodial
SC Howell, SV Ley, M Mahon, PA Worthington
Journal of the Chemical Society Chemical Communications
(1981)
Diaryl telluroxides as new mild oxidising reagents
SV Ley, CA Meerholz, DHR Barton
Tetrahedron
(1981)
37
Synthesis of a trans -decalin as a potential insect antifeedant
SV Ley, NS Simpkins, AJ Whittle
Journal of the Chemical Society, Chemical Communications
(1981)
A CONVENIENT PREPARATION OF 2-HALOENONES FROM ENONES USING PHENYLSELENIUM HALIDES
SV Ley, AJ Whittle
Tetrahedron Letters
(1981)
22
THE SYNTHESIS AND DIELS-ALDER REACTIONS OF 2-PROP-2-ENYLIDENE-1,3-DIOXOLAN
SV Ley, WL Mitchell, TV Radhakrishnan, DHR Barton
Journal of the Chemical Society Perkin Transactions 1
(1981)
Synthesis of (±)warburganal
SV Ley, M Mahon
Tetrahedron Letters
(1981)
22
OXYGEN ATOM TRANSFER FROM IODYLBENZENE TO DIPHENYL DISELENIDE - A CONVENIENT METHOD FOR DEHYDROGENATION OF STEROIDAL 3-KETONES
DHR Barton, JW Morzycki, WB Motherwell, SV Ley
Chemical Communications
(1981)
Conversion of thiocarbonyl compounds into their corresponding oxoderivatives using benzeneseleninic anhydride
NJ Cussans, SV Ley, DHR Barton
Journal of the Chemical Society, Perkin Transactions 1
(1980)
Formation of β-lactams from tricarbonyliron lactone complexes
GD Annis, EM Hebblethwaite, SV Ley
Journal of the Chemical Society Chemical Communications
(1980)

Research Group

Telephone number

01223 336398

Email address