| Abstract: | The mass spectra of 32 substituted 4-amino-4′-nitroazobenzene compounds have been recorded and the most intense peaks have been used to characterize these spectra. It was found that the spectra of 4-amino-4′-nitroazobenzene compounds are characterized by peaks due to: (1) molecular ions, (2) fragment ions formed by cleavage of one of the carbon-nitrogen bonds adjacent to the azo linkage with the positive charge remaining with the amine fragment, (3) ions formed by cleavage alpha to the amine nitrogen with the charge remaining with the amine substituent, (4) ions formed by cleavage beta to the amine nitrogen with the loss of the amine substituent fragment, (5) secondary ions formed by cleavage beta to the amine nitrogen with the loss of the amine substituent fragment from the primary amine fragment (2), and (6) ions formed by loss of NO from the molecular ion. This work shows that 4-amino-4′-nitroazobenzene compounds exhibit fragmentation which is dependent in a consistent manner on the types of substituents. This work provides a basis for a systematic approach to the identification of 4-amino-4′-nitroazobenzene compounds. |
