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
SUBSTITUTION-REACTIONS OF 2-PHENYLSULFONYL-PIPERIDINES AND 2-PHENYLSULFONYL-PYRROLIDINES WITH CARBON NUCLEOPHILES - SYNTHESIS OF THE PYRROLIDINE ALKALOIDS NORRUSPOLINE AND RUSPOLINONE
Tetrahedron
(1991)
47
1311
Microbial Oxidation in Synthesis: Preparation of Novel 3-Substitutedcis-Cyclohexa-3,5-diene-1,2-diol Derivatives from (1S,2S)-3-Bromocyclohexa-3,5-diene-1,2-diol
Synlett
(1991)
1991
741
(doi: 10.1055/s-1991-34764)
The champagne route to avermectins and milbemycins
Strategies and Tactics in Organic Synthesis
(1991)
3
237
NOVEL ROUTES TO INOSITOL PHOSPHATES USING PSEUDOMONAS-PUTIDA OXIDATION OF ARENES
ACS SYMPOSIUM SERIES
(1991)
463
132
A NEW RUTHENIUM(VI) OXIDANT - PREPARATION, X-RAY CRYSTAL-STRUCTURE, AND PROPERTIES OF (PH4P)[RUO2(OAC)CL2]
Journal of the Chemical Society Chemical Communications
(1990)
1219
(doi: 10.1039/C39900001219)
Direct substitution of 2-phenylsulphonylpyrrolidines, -piperidines, -tetrahydrofurans and -tetrahydropyrans by alkyl organometallic reagents in dichloromethane
Synlett
(1990)
1990
749
(doi: 10.1055/s-1990-21237)
An Efficient Three-Step Synthesis of L-(-)-Oleandrose from (S)-(-)-Methyl Lactate
Synlett
(1990)
1990
771
(doi: 10.1055/s-1990-21247)
DIRECT SUBSTITUTION OF 2-PHENYLSULPHONYLPYRROLIDINES, 2-PHENYLSULPHONYLPIPERIDINES, 2-PHENYLSULPHONYLTETRAHYDROFURANS AND 2-PHENYLSULPHONYLTETRAHYDROPYRANS BY ALKYL ORGANOMETALLIC REAGENTS IN DICHLOROMETHANE
SYNLETT
(1990)
749
NOVEL ROUTES TO INOSITOL PHOSPHATES USING PSEUDOMONAS-PUTIDA OXIDATION OF ARENES
ABSTR PAP AM CHEM S
(1990)
200
55
SYNTHESIS OF BIOLOGICALLY-ACTIVE CYCLITOLS VIA MICROBIAL OXIDATION OF BENZENE
ABSTR PAP AM CHEM S
(1990)
200
42
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