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A solution and solid state study of niobium complexes University of ...

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Acknowledgements<br />

First <strong>and</strong> foremost, I thank God Almighty for the countless blessings he has given<br />

me.<br />

Thank you to Pr<strong>of</strong>. Roodt for all the opportunities, patience <strong>and</strong> endless enthusiasm<br />

for chemistry, inspiring me to learn as much as I can. It is truly an honour to be<br />

known as one <strong>of</strong> your students.<br />

To Pr<strong>of</strong>. Deon Visser, thank you for all your guidance <strong>and</strong> encouragement. Your<br />

neverending patience <strong>and</strong> willingness to give advice is what kept me motivated<br />

throughout my studies.<br />

To Dr. Linette Bennie, thank you for your guidance with the <strong>niobium</strong> NMR throughout<br />

this project.<br />

Thank you to all my colleagues in the Inorganic group for all the laughter <strong>and</strong> jokes.<br />

Thank you for sharing your knowledge <strong>and</strong> for your patience when having to explain<br />

something several times. Every one <strong>of</strong> you contributed to this <strong>study</strong> in some way <strong>and</strong><br />

for that I thank you.<br />

To my father, Lucas Herbst, my sister, Shané Herbst, <strong>and</strong> my gr<strong>and</strong>mother, Nellie<br />

Grobler, without your love, support, faith, sacrifices, underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>and</strong> continuous<br />

encouragement this would not be possible.<br />

Financial assistance from the Advanced Metals Initiative (AMI) <strong>of</strong> the Department <strong>of</strong><br />

Science <strong>and</strong> Technology (DST) <strong>of</strong> South Africa, through The New Metals<br />

Development Network (NMDN) coordinated by the South African Nuclear Energy<br />

Corporation Limited (Necsa), <strong>and</strong> the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> the Free State are gratefully<br />

acknowledged.

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