Electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of substituted 1- and 2-naphthylmethyl radicals

Abstract

The EPR spectra of 7-tert-1-butyl-1-naphthylmethyl and 6-tert-butyl-2-naphthylmethyl radicals, prepared by photolysis of the hydrocarbon with tert-butyl peroxide at –40 °C, have been analysed by correlation methods: average α(C–H) coupling constants are 15.0 and 15.25 G respectively, in line with the expected relative stabilities of the two radicals and the recently reported stabilization energy for 1-naphthylmethyl.