Welcome to the website of Professor Steven V. Ley and his organic chemistry research group. Our labs (The Whiffen and the Innovative Technology Centre) are in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Cambridge.

News
Steve Ley wins the RSC Longstaff Prize
The triennial Longstaff Prize is given to an RSC member who has done the most to advance the science of chemistry. This prize was instituted to commemorate Dr George Dixon Longstaff (1799-1892), a founding fellow and benefactor of the RSC. Steve’s name joins a long list of distinguished chemists including: Jack Baldwin (2008); Harry Kroto (1993); Geoffrey Wilkinson (1987); Alan R Battersby (1984) and Derek Barton (1972).

Latest publications

• A mild and efficient flow procedure for the transfer hydrogenation of ketones and aldehydes using hydrous zirconia
• Synthesis of spongistatin 2 employing a new route to the EF fragment
• An expedtious synthesis of imatinib and analogues utilising flow chemistry methods

Videos

• Conducting Appel reactions in flow using a triphenylphosphine monolith Steve gives a one-on-one tutorial about flow chemistry and demonstrates how these systems can be applied to a given reaction in practice.
• Flow chemistry: introducing the Innovative Technology Centre Steve shows you around the ITC and explains what can be achieved using automated flow methods.

From the archives

Our very first Whiffen Lab Letter 1 from March 9th 1987 when Steve Ley was at Imperial College.

“Complex synthesis remains a challenging occupation requiring an exceptional level of experimental skill, extensive knowledge of both mechanistic and molecular reactivity, and a bold, inventive, and creative spirit. It is the combination of these qualities that transforms the synthesis process from one of simple logistics to an art form.”
Steve Ley

Please email any comments regarding the website to rmm32(@)cam.ac.uk.