[Sonntag]

Hi guys,

can you predict the EPR spectrum of this molecule?

I would say, the unpaired electron is at the C-atom between the -CH₂ and -CH₃. So, because of the protons (S = 1/2), we will get 3 x 4 signals. The double bonding leads to a stronger triplet than quartet. So, I would expect a triplet of quartets.

What would you say?

[rwiew]

I don't see a radical in your structure?

[Sonntag]

Yeah, you're right. It's just the molecule used in the polymerization. Anything else I need to assume (and belongs to my question).

[rwiew]

So, you want a radical on the carbon that's currently in the double bond and at the same time you want to keep the double bond (that's your argument for stronger triplet)? That's a pentavalent carbon, does not make sense. Please can you draw a structure with the radical in question indicated, the molecule that you showed does not show any EPR response as it does not contain unpaired electron density.

[Sonntag]

After starting the polymerization I assume the growing chain looks like this. What do you think?

[Sonntag]

-

[rwiew]

Cool, I see what you mean now. So we have 3 options - triplet of quartets, quarter of triplets or sextet. I wouldn't be surprised if it is a sextet (the hyperfine coupling constants with both groups of protons essentially equivalent). But if I were to speculate about the two being inequivalent, then I'd consider hyperconjugation between the C-H/C-C bonds and the radical - you could say a C-H bond has a slightly higher donor ability and hence the hyperconjugation with the -CH₃ group will be slightly larger than with CH₂R and hence larger coupling with the methyl. This would give you a quarter of triplets. Of course your argument with the double bonding does not work - the double bonding is not present anymore in the radical, you see that?

[Sonntag]

Thank you, for your help, especially the pro and cons for two inequivalent coupling constants.
And yeah, the double bond argumentation was a too quick thought.