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
Towards the total synthesis of bengazole A
ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2005)
229
U515
Efficient batch and continuous flow Suzuki cross-coupling reactions under mild conditions, catalysed by polyurea-encapsulated palladium ( ii ) acetate and tetra- n -butylammonium salts
Chem Commun (Camb)
(2005)
2175
(doi: 10.1039/b418669a)
Stereoselective synthesis of (2S,7S)-7-(4-phenoxymethyl)-2-(1-N-hydroxyureidyl-3-butyn-4-yl)oxepane: a potential anti-asthmatic drug candidate
Tetrahedron Asymmetry
(2005)
16
935
(doi: 10.1016/j.tetasy.2005.01.024)
Highly diastereoselective desymmetrisation of cyclic meso-anhydrides and derivatisation to mono-protected 1,4-diols
Synlett
(2005)
646
(doi: 10.1055/s-2005-862393)
A Homo-Proline Tetrazole as an Improved Organocatalyst for the Asymmetric Michael Addition of Carbonyl Compounds to Nitro-Olefins
Synlett
(2005)
611
(doi: 10.1055/s-2005-862392)
A highly automated, polymer-assisted strategy for the preparation of 2-alkylthiobenzimidazoles and N,N′-dialkylbenzimidazolin-2-ones
Journal of Combinatorial Chemistry
(2005)
7
385
(doi: 10.1021/cc049832+)
Synthesis of a Ceramide Sphingolipid as a Potential Sex Pheromone of the Hair CrabErimacrus isenbeckiiUsing Butane-2,3-diacetal Desymmetrised Glycolic Acid Building Blocks
Synlett
(2005)
481
(doi: 10.1055/s-2005-862361)
The total synthesis of the annonaceous acetogenin 10-hydroxyasimicin
Angewandte Chemie International Edition
(2005)
44
580
(doi: 10.1002/anie.200462264)
Supported Reagents and Scavengers in Multi-step Organic Synthesis
(2005)
53
Total synthesis of the Fusarium toxin equisetin.
Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry
(2004)
3
274
(doi: 10.1039/b411350k)
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