While there are many people who deserve personal thanks for their contribution to this project, the person who made this PhD possible for me and in fact convinced me to do it in the first place is Prof. Robert Mulvey. Taking me into his small group he supported me from the start, a support that never once dwindled in three and a half years. His never-ending encouragement, especially in times when things weren't going as planned, and his constant availability day or night was invaluable. I thank

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... him for letting me be a part of his group for these few short years and for being such a great boss! Dr Stuart Robertson played a major role in my PhD study, beginning with the task of training me in the lab, through to performing the X-ray crystallographic analysis for all of my structures on top of many very helpful and productive discussions both in meetings and informal conversations in front of the NMR computer. The other academics in the group, Prof. Eva Hevia and Dr Charlie O'Hara also deserve a massive thank you for their insight and helpful discussions on the work detailed in this thesis. By far the people that had the biggest influence on my time within the group are the other PhD students and postdocs that worked beside me on a daily basis. With too many to name and at the risk of missing someone, I would like to thank each and every one of them collectively for making the group such an enjoyable place to work, both in the lab and on our unforgettable trips to places like Rothesay. To name a select few: Sarah started the PhD with me and I could not have asked for a better friend to go through the process with -she made writing our first year reports much more enjoyable! Though unfortunately she is not finishing with me, she will continue to be a very special friend and I have lovely memories of our time together in the group. Although I have only known Marina for a few years now, I couldn't imagine not having her in my life! I especially miss not seeing her on a daily basis anymore but know I have made a true friend for life. A special mention should also be given to Sam and Jenni for being such good friends and although I have now left Sam as the sole PhD student of the Mulvey group I have no doubt she will do great! Elaine also needs a special v acknowledgement for her contribution to the aluminium work detailed in Chapter 3. During the PhD I also had the pleasure of mentoring two undergraduate students Gary and Adele, both of whom were incredibly hardworking and a pleasure to work with. Janie-Anne also deserves a massive thank you for her behind the scenes hard work to ensure the lab ran smoothly on a day to day basis, as well as her neverending patience in dealing with requests for all sorts from both labs! Turning away from the university, I would not be where I am today if it wasn't for my mum and dad. They have supported me my whole life in everything I have done and all that I have I owe to them. Though they know nothing about chemistry they have supported me immensely throughout this PhD in a way no one else could, encouraging and reassuring me through every presentation and exam, down to the writing of this thesis. I could not ask for better parents and thank them for being such selfless, loving and caring people. Last, but by no means least, is my boyfriend Sean. Moving in together shortly after starting our PhDs, he has been incredibly supportive and understanding of the time and effort I have had to put into this project over the past three and a half years. Completing his PhD at the same time, we even managed to survive writing our theses together! He has made this whole process, especially the writing, much easier and always keeps me smiling.