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Pyrazine is an attractive molecule that has been incorporated as a bridging ligand between two metal centres. These complexes have been shown to exhibit both magnetic and electrochemical exchange between the metal centres through the pyrazine unit. Addition of functionality onto the 2 and 5 position of pyrazine can reinforce the coordination of 3d octahedral metal ions to the pyrazine ring. The Schiff base condensation of A1 with various primary amine reactants produced three unique ligand systems. The confirmed synthesis of these ligands was verified with a variety of characterisation techniques. A single crystal structure was generated for one ligand system (L3), which revealed both imine – π stacking interactions, as well as alkane hydrogen – pyridine interactions. Several complexations were attempted with the three ligand systems synthesised. Manganese and cobalt complexes were successfully synthesised with L3, the single crystal structures generated showed cyclohelicate triangles, which were unique at the time. The electrochemical analysis of these complexes in MeCN showed similar redox processes as was seen in the electrochemical analysis of L3. Signs of possible metal-metal communication within the cyclohelicate triangles was also noticed, with oxidation (and reduction) processes present. Further analysis is necessary to verify these interpretations, including magnetic analysis. Complexations with identical metal salts and L2 could not be characterised by SCXRD Other techniques such as mass spectrometry and conductivity measurements indicated the likely formation of a polymorphic – potentially cyclohelical structure with this ligand. Complexations with L1 incorporated the inclusion of a larger collection of metal salts. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, only three complexes were suitably characterised. From the various characterisation methods used, it was deduced that all three complexes were likely simple M2L1 systems, where the coordination of the 6

The study considered the question: Does the composite change model of diffusion and implementation fit the process of adoption of microcomputers in educational administration in K-12 schools? The literature concerning the use of computers in educational administration, the parallel and interlocking use of computers in educational administration, the process of adoption, implementation and dissemination of innovation in organizations, the consideration of change and implementation models and the analysis of suitable data collecting questionnaires was studied. This study culminated in the use of a modification of the Negotiated Order of Withdrawal (NOW) interest-bearing checking accounts interview schedule developed by Nord and Tucker. Interviews were conducted at five separate sites in a selected school district using this schedule. After analysis of the written and recorded data, case studies of the process of implementation of microcomputer use were developed for each site. The case studies were analyzed for similarities and differences pertaining to the research questions. The stages reached and/or completed in the composite change model at each site were identified. It was found that the adoption of a change model is advantageous in the process of implementation of the use of microcomputers in educational administration in a school district. The development of a formal coordinated plan for the administrative uses of microcomputers should have a high priority. The assessment of needs for microcomputer use, the planning of necessary staff training and the evaluation of progress of implementation should be developed from the district plan for the implementation process to be successful. The process of implementation of microcomputers in administration in the school district studied has valuable lessons for similar implementations in other school districts. A list of recommendations is given, the most significant of which is that a change model such as the composite