All chemicals for the syntheses were purchased from commercial sources (Aldrich, Acros or Alfa Aesar) and used as received without further purification. N-Ethylglycine-hydrochloride (H2EtGlyCl) and N-propylglycine-hydrochloride (H2PrGlyCl) were prepared by aminolysis of chloroacetic acid according to the method of E. Fischer (Scheme S1† ).40 (link) CHN analyses were performed on a Perkin-Elmer 2400 Series II CHNS analyzer in the Analytical Services Laboratory at the Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia. The IR spectra were obtained in the range 4000–450 cm−1 on a Perkin-Elmer Spectrum Two™ FTIR-spectrometer in ATR mode. The TGA measurements were performed at a heating rate of 10 °C min−1 in the temperature range 25–600 °C, under a nitrogen flow of 150 mL min−1 on a Mettler-Toledo TG/SDTA 851e instrument. Approximately 10 mg of each sample was placed in a standard aluminum crucible (40 μL).
ESR measurements were conducted on a Bruker Elexsys 580 FT/CW spectrometer. The used microwave frequency was around 9.7 GHz; the magnetic field modulation amplitude was 0.5 mT and the modulation frequency was 100 kHz. Samples were studied in the range from room down to liquid helium temperature.
ESR measurements were conducted on a Bruker Elexsys 580 FT/CW spectrometer. The used microwave frequency was around 9.7 GHz; the magnetic field modulation amplitude was 0.5 mT and the modulation frequency was 100 kHz. Samples were studied in the range from room down to liquid helium temperature.