An investigation into the effects of chirality upon electron spin resonance spectra

E.s.r. spectra are described for a series of nitroxides RCH2N(But)O· in which the group R comprises a carbon atom with three different substituents. As a result of this asymmetry the methylene hydrogen atoms are normally rendered magnetically non-equivalent and a quartet results; the recognition of this is clearly of diagnostic value. Further, deductions about molecular conformation can be made from the β-H splittings in each such chiral radical, and both solvent and temperature effects can to a certain extent be rationalised.