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
Synthesis of highly substituted nitropyrrolidines, nitropyrrolizines and nitropyrroles via multicomponent-multistep sequences within a flow reactor
Heterocycles
(2010)
82
1297
(doi: 10.3987/com-10-s(e)77)
The continuous flow synthesis of butane-2,3-diacetal protected building blocks using microreactors.
Org Biomol Chem
(2010)
8
1588
(doi: 10.1039/b924309g)
A Flow Process Using Microreactors for the Preparation of a Quinolone Derivative as a Potent 5HT(1B) Antagonist
Synlett
(2010)
2010
505
(doi: 10.1055/s-0029-1219358)
ReactIR Flow Cell: A New Analytical Tool for Continuous Flow Chemical Processing
Organic Process Research & Development
(2010)
14
393
(doi: 10.1021/op900305v)
Synthesis of 3-Nitropyrrolidines via Dipolar Cycloaddition Reactions Using a Modular Flow Reactor
Synlett
(2010)
2010
749
(doi: 10.1055/s-0029-1219344)
Multi‐Step Synthesis by Using Modular Flow Reactors: The Preparation of YneOnes and Their Use in Heterocycle Synthesis
Chemistry A European Journal
(2009)
16
89
(doi: 10.1002/chem.200902906)
An Asymmetric Tandem Conjugative Addition‐Intramolecular Cyclisation Process to Provide Functionalised 3,6‐Dihydropyrans and 4,5‐Epoxytetrahydropyrans
European Journal of Organic Chemistry
(2009)
2010
183
(doi: 10.1002/ejoc.200901145)
Total Synthesis of the Anti-Apoptotic Agents Iso- and Bongkrekic Acids
Org Lett
(2009)
12
340
(doi: 10.1021/ol902676t)
Synthesis of Azadirachtin: A long but successful journey
Chemtracts
(2009)
22
214
Four-Dimensional Visualization of Thoracic Blood Flow by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in a Patient Following Correction of Transposition of the Great Arteries (d-TGA) and Uncorrected Aortic Coarctation
Acta Radiol
(2009)
50
909
(doi: 10.1080/02841850903061437)
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