As a PDF file - E-thesis - Helsinki.fi

Preface
This work was carried out between 1999 and 2005 in the Laboratory of Inorganic Chemistry,
University of Helsinki. Financial support from the Academy of Finland, Finnish National
Technology Agency (TEKES), and Association of Finnish Chemical Societies is gratefully
acknowledged.
I wish to express my deepest gratitude to Professor Markku Leskelä for providing me the
opportunity to work in his laboratory and for wise advice, constructive criticism, and lots of
encouragement during the years of this work.
I am deeply grateful to Professor Adnan S. Abu-Surrah, Hashemite University, Jordan, who
nudged me on my way at the outset of the work. I thank him for his patience in both
laboratory investigations and literature studies. Special thanks go to Docent Timo Repo for
our many friendly scientific and general discussions.
I wish to express warmest thanks to all my colleagues and friends at the Laboratory of
Inorganic Chemistry, for their collaboration, encouragement, and tireless help. While it is
impossible to mention everyone who has been of help, I would like to single out a few who
have been especially instrumental. It was pleasure to work in the same laboratory with
Katariina Yliheikkilä and Ulla Markkanen and a privilege to learn from Mika Kettunen, who
found answers to so many of my questions and assisted me with his linguistic skills.
My warmest thanks go to all my friends, especially Mika L., Netta, and Panu, for numerous
stimulating discussions and the encouragement needed in life’s difficult moments.
I am deeply grateful to my mother and father for their support and encouragement. Most of all
I wish to thank my family− my dear wife Heidi and Maria and little Aaron. They have been
endlessly patient and supportive, while reminding me that occasionally there are things more
important than chemistry.
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