Two short nitroxide biradicals of similar composition, R6 0 -R6 0 (B0) and R6 0 -(C : C)-R6 0 (B1), where R6 0 is 1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,4-ene-nitroxide ring, have been investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and X-ray structural analysis. Quantum chemical calculations at UDFT/B3LYP/ccpVDZ level were also performed and compared with the X-ray structural data. Zerofield splitting parameters D for B0 and B1 were found to be equal -0.0048 and -0.0022 cm -1 , respectively, in good agreement with quantum chemical prediction. Potential energy surface scans corresponding to pathways of the conformational rearrangements were calculated; rotation barriers for B0 and B1 were found to be 19.2 and 4.0 kJ/mol, respectively; and structural rigidity and probable differences in biradicals behavior are discussed. Calculations of spin density distribution in biradicals B0 and B1 were also carried out.