ESR spectra of some diarylmethyl radicals

The ESR spectra of four ortho‐alkyl‐substituted diphenylmethyl radicals have been measured in solutions of m‐xylene. The proton coupling constants were assigned experimentally such that the reconstructions of the spectra agreed with the recorded tracings. The spin densities were calculated assuming proportionality between proton coupling constant and spin density on the adjacent carbon atom. The relation between spin distribution and steric configuration of the radicals is considered on a qualitative basis.