Electron paramagnetic resonance absorption was observed for samples prepared by vacuum vapor deposition of thin films of 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic-dianhydride (PTCDA) on metal films of magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al) and silver (Ag) but not on gold (Au) or PTCDA on quartz. The resonance absorption is seen as a Lorentzian line with g-value of 2.0030 and a linewidth of 0.19 mT. The signal is attributed to PTCDA anions at the metal organic interface. The relative values of the metal work function and the PTCDA electron affinity appear to determine the occurrence of the EPR absorption. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.