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

[3 + 2] Cycloaddition of acetylenes with azides to give 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles in a modular flow reactor
CD Smith, IR Baxendale, S Lanners, JJ Hayward, SC Smith, SV Ley
Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry
(2007)
5
A Fascination with 1,2-Diacetals
SV Ley, A Polara
The Journal of Organic Chemistry
(2007)
72
Continuous flow ligand-free Heck reactions using monolithic Pd [0] nanoparticles
N Nikbin, M Ladlow, SV Ley
Organic Process Research & Development
(2007)
11
Influence of microwave irradiation on the reaction of MgO and Al2O3 slurries to form layered double hydroxide
SJ Mitchell, IR Baxendale, W Jones
ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2007)
233
Natural product synthesis: A stimulus for discovery
SV Ley
ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2007)
233
Design and total synthesis of unnatural analogues of the sub-nanomolar SERCA inhibitor thapsigargin.
SP Andrews, MM Tait, M Ball, SV Ley
Organic & biomolecular chemistry
(2007)
5
Optimisation of conditions for O-benzyl and N-benzyloxycarbonyl protecting group removal using an automated flow hydrogenator
KR Knudsen, J Holden, SV Ley, M Ladlow
Advanced Synthesis & Catalysis
(2007)
349
Chemical variation of natural-product-like scaffolds: Design, synthesis, and biological activity of fused bicyclic acetal derivatives
L-G Milroy, G Zinzalla, G Prencipe, P Michel, SV Ley, M Gunaratnam, M Beltran, S Neidle
Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)
(2007)
46
Chemical Variation of Natural‐Product‐Like Scaffolds: Design, Synthesis, and Biological Activity of Fused Bicyclic Acetal Derivatives
L Milroy, G Zinzalla, G Prencipe, P Michel, SV Ley, M Gunaratnam, M Beltran, S Neidle
Angewandte Chemie
(2007)
119
Identification of a putative azadirachtin-binding complex from Drosophila Kc167 cells.
SL Robertson, W Ni, TS Dhadialla, AJ Nisbet, C McCusker, SV Ley, W Mordue, AJ Mordue 'Luntz'
Archives of insect biochemistry and physiology
(2007)
64

Research Group

Telephone number

01223 336398

Email address