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
Bis(p-methoxyphenyl) telluroxide: A new, mild oxidising agent
Journal of the Chemical Society Chemical Communications
(1979)
755
(doi: 10.1039/C39790000755)
Isolation, Characterisation and Oxidation of Isomeric Ferrelactone Complexes.
Journal of Organometallic Chemistry
(1979)
182
C11
CRYSTAL-STRUCTURE OF 3-EPICARYOPTIN AND THE REVERSAL OF THE CURRENTLY ACCEPTED ABSOLUTE-CONFIGURATION OF CLERODIN
Journal of the Chemical Society Chemical Communications
(1979)
97
(doi: 10.1039/C39790000097)
Preparation of aldehydes and ketones by oxidation of benzylic hydrocarbons with benzeneseleninic anhydride
Tetrahedron Letters
(1979)
20
3331
Preparation of episulphides from alkenes via succinimide-N-sulphenyl chloride or phthalimide-N-sulphenyl chloride adducts
Journal of the Chemical Society Perkin Transactions 1
(1979)
3013
(doi: 10.1039/p19790003013)
Dehydrogenation of steroidal ketones using benzeneseleninic anhydride
Journal of the Chemical Society, Chemical Communications
(1978)
130
(doi: 10.1039/C39780000130)
The formation of unusual sultones during the rearrangement reactions of bicyclic ketones
Tetrahedron Letters
(1978)
19
3937
Oxidation of alcohols using benzeneseleninic anhydride
Journal of the Chemical Society Chemical Communications
(1978)
952
(doi: 10.1039/C39780000952)
Conversion of thiocarbonyl compounds into their corresponding oxo derivatives using benzeneseleninic anhydride
Journal of the Chemical Society, Chemical Communications
(1978)
393
(doi: 10.1039/c39780000393)
Oxidation of aldehyde hydrazones, hydrazo compounds, and hydroxylamines with benzeneseleninic anhydride
Journal of the Chemical Society Chemical Communications
(1978)
276
(doi: 10.1039/c39780000276)
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