Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry

Professor Steve Ley CBE FRS FMedSci

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

Total synthesis of the potent antifungal agents bengazole C and E
Á Enríquez-García, SV Ley
Collection of Czechoslovak Chemical Communications
(2009)
74
(doi: 10.1135/cccc2009016)
Multistep Synthesis Using Modular Flow Reactors: Bestmann–Ohira Reagent for the Formation of Alkynes and Triazoles
IR Baxendale, SV Ley, AC Mansfield, CD Smith
Angew Chem Int Ed Engl
(2009)
48
(doi: 10.1002/anie.200900970)
An efficient and transition metal free protocol for the transfer hydrogenation of ketones as a continuous flow process
J Sedelmeier, SV Ley, IR Baxendale
Green Chemistry
(2009)
11
(doi: 10.1039/b821752a)
AuCl3‐Catalyzed Hydroalkoxylation of Conjugated Alkynoates: Synthesis of Five‐ and Six‐Membered Cyclic Acetals
A Diéguez‐Vázquez, CC Tzschucke, J Crecente‐Campo, S McGrath, SV Ley
European Journal of Organic Chemistry
(2009)
2009
(doi: 10.1002/ejoc.200801221)
Synthesis and chemistry of the ionophore antibiotic tetronasin
SV Ley, JA Clase, DJ Mansfield, HMI Osborn
Journal of Heterocyclic Chemistry
(2009)
33
(doi: 10.1002/jhet.5570330509)
A Base-Catalysed One-Pot Three-Component Coupling Reaction Leading to Nitrosubstituted Pyrroles
S Ley, I Baxendale, C Buckle, L Tamborini
Synthesis
(2009)
2009
(doi: 10.1055/s-0028-1087991)
Total synthesis of rapamycin.
SV Ley, MN Tackett, ML Maddess, JC Anderson, PE Brennan, MW Cappi, JP Heer, C Helgen, M Kori, C Kouklovsky, SP Marsden, J Norman, DP Osborn, MA Palomero, JBJ Pavey, C Pinel, LA Robinson, J Schnaubelt, JS Scott, CD Spilling, H Watanabe, KE Wesson, MC Willis
Chemistry A European Journal
(2009)
15
(doi: 10.1002/chem.200801656)
Second-Generation Synthesis of Azadirachtin: A Concise Preparation of the Propargylic Mesylate Fragment
A Boyer, GE Veitch, E Beckmann, SV Ley
Angewandte Chemie International Edition
(2009)
48
(doi: 10.1002/anie.200805395)
Highly diastereoselective desymmetrisation of cyclic meso-anhydrides and derivatisation for use in natural product synthesis
AC Evans, DA Longbottom, M Matsuoka, JE Davies, R Turner, V Franckevicius, SV Ley
Org Biomol Chem
(2009)
7
(doi: 10.1039/b813494d)
Development of methods suitable for natural product synthesis: The azadirachtin story
SV Ley
Pure and Applied Chemistry
(2009)
77
(doi: 10.1351/pac200577071115)

Research Group

Research Interest Groups

Telephone number

01223 336398

Email address

svl1000@cam.ac.uk

College

Trinity College
Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry
Lensfield Road
Cambridge
CB2 1EW
T: +44 (0) 1223 336300
enquiries@ch.cam.ac.uk
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