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
Tetrahedron
(1989)
45
5175
Total synthesis of (+)-milbemycin β1
Tetrahedron Letters
(1989)
30
3209
Substitution reactions of 2-benzenesulphonyl cyclic ethers with carbon nucleophiles
Tetrahedron
(1989)
45
4293
Substitution Reactions of 2-Benzensulphonyl Cyclic Ethers with Silyl Enol Ethers Promoted by Aluminium Trichloride
Heterocycles
(1989)
28
773
(doi: 10.3987/com-88-s145)
Chemistry of insect antifeedants from azadirachta indica (part 4): synthesis towards the limonoid azadirachtin; preparation of a functionalised decalin fragment
Tetrahedron
(1989)
45
2143
A HIGHLY CONVERGENT TOTAL SYNTHESIS OF THE SPIROACETAL MACROLIDE (+)-MILBEMYCIN BETA-1
Tetrahedron
(1989)
45
7161
Preparation of β-ketomacrolactones and β-ketodiolides using S-t-butyl 3-oxobutanethioate and S-t-butyl 4-diethylphosphono-3-oxobutanethioate
Tetrahedron
(1989)
45
7565
The first crystal and molecular structure of lanthanide homodinuclear macrocyclic complexes showing metal–metal pair interactions
Journal of the Chemical Society Chemical Communications
(1989)
1531
(doi: 10.1039/c39890001531)
Organic synthesis with tricarbonyliron lactone complexes
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences
(1988)
326
633
(doi: 10.1098/rsta.1988.0114)
Preparation of cyclic ether acetals from 2-benzenesulphonylderivatives: a new mild glycosidation procedure
Tetrahedron Letters
(1988)
29
4873
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