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

INSECT ANTIFEEDANTS FROM AZADIRACHTA INDICA .5. CHEMICAL MODIFICATION AND STRUCTURE-ACTIVITY-RELATIONSHIPS OF AZADIRACHTIN AND SOME RELATED LIMONOIDS
SV Ley, JC Anderson, WM Blaney, PS Jones, Z Lidert, ED Morgan, NG Robinson, D Santafianos, MSJ Simmonds, PL Toogood
Tetrahedron
(1989)
45
Total synthesis of (+)-milbemycin β1
NJ Anthony, A Armstrong, SV Ley, A Madin
Tetrahedron Letters
(1989)
30
Substitution reactions of 2-benzenesulphonyl cyclic ethers with carbon nucleophiles
DS Brown, M Bruno, RJ Davenport, SV Ley
Tetrahedron
(1989)
45
Substitution Reactions of 2-Benzensulphonyl Cyclic Ethers with Silyl Enol Ethers Promoted by Aluminium Trichloride
S V. Ley, D S. Brown, M Bruno
Heterocycles
(1989)
28
Chemistry of insect antifeedants from azadirachta indica (part 4): synthesis towards the limonoid azadirachtin; preparation of a functionalised decalin fragment
SV Ley, AA Somovilla, HB Broughton, D Craig, AMZ Slawin, PL Toogood, DJ Williams
Tetrahedron
(1989)
45
A HIGHLY CONVERGENT TOTAL SYNTHESIS OF THE SPIROACETAL MACROLIDE (+)-MILBEMYCIN BETA-1
SV Ley, NJ Anthony, A Armstrong, MG Brasca, T Clarke, D Culshaw, C Greck, P Grice, AB Jones, B Lygo, A Madin, RN Sheppard, AMZ Slawin, DJ Williams
Tetrahedron
(1989)
45
Preparation of β-ketomacrolactones and β-ketodiolides using S-t-butyl 3-oxobutanethioate and S-t-butyl 4-diethylphosphono-3-oxobutanethioate
PM Booth, HB Broughton, MJ Ford, CMJ Fox, SV Ley, AMZ Slawin, DJ Williams, PR Woodward
Tetrahedron
(1989)
45
The first crystal and molecular structure of lanthanide homodinuclear macrocyclic complexes showing metal–metal pair interactions
IA Kahwa, S Folkes, DJ Williams, SV Ley, CA O'Mahoney, GL McPherson
Journal of the Chemical Society Chemical Communications
(1989)
Organic synthesis with tricarbonyliron lactone complexes
SV Ley
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences
(1988)
326
Preparation of cyclic ether acetals from 2-benzenesulphonylderivatives: a new mild glycosidation procedure
DS Brown, SV Ley, S Vile
Tetrahedron Letters
(1988)
29

Research Group

Telephone number

01223 336398

Email address