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

SYNTHESIS OF (CIS-6-METHYLTETRAHYDROPYRAN-2-YL)ACETIC ACID INVOLVING THE USE OF AN ORGANOSELENIUM-MEDIATED CYCLIZATION REACTION
SV Ley, B Lygo, H Molines, JA Morton
Journal of the Chemical Society Series Chemical Communications
(1982)
A short syntesis of (±)-hirsutene involving the use of an organoselenium-mediated cyclization reaction
SV Ley, PJ Murray
Chemical Communications
(1982)
AN UNEXPECTED REARRANGEMENT OF 4-ALKYLAMINOINDOLES
SV Ley, RA Porter
Journal of the Chemical Society Chemical Communications
(1982)
Oxidation of phenols, pyrocatechols, and hydroquinones to ortho -quinones using benzeneseleninic anhydride
DHR Barton, AG Brewster, SV Ley, CM Read, MN Rosenfeld
Journal of the Chemical Society, Perkin Transactions 1
(1981)
On the reaction of thioacetals with sulphuryl chloride
PC Bulman-Page, SV Ley, JA Morton, DJ Williams
Journal of the Chemical Society, Perkin Transactions 1
(1981)
Experiments on the synthesis of tetracycline. Part 16. Improved photocyclic preparation of 12-keto-derivatives and their deprotection using benzeneseleninic anhydride
DHR Barton, MT Bielska, JM Cardoso, NJ Cussans, SV Ley
J CHEM SOC PERK T 1
(1981)
Synthesis of substituted cis-decalins as potential insect antifeedants
WP Jackson, SV Ley
J CHEM SOC PERK T 1
(1981)
Preparation of lactones via tricarbonyliron–lactone complexes
GD Annis, SV Ley, CR Self, R Sivaramakrishnan
J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. 1
(1981)
Synthesis of a trans-decalin as a potential insect antifeedant
SV Ley, NS Simpkins, AJ Whittle
Journal of the Chemical Society, Chemical Communications
(1981)
Oxygen atom transfer from iodylbenzene to diphenyl diselenide - A convenient method for dehydrogenation of steroidal 3-ketones
DHR Barton, JW Morzycki, WB Motherwell, SV Ley
Chemical Communications
(1981)

Research Group

Telephone number

01223 336398

Email address