Electron-impact fragmentation of some secondary aliphatic nitramines. Migration of the nitro group in heterocyclic nitramines

The mass spectra of a series of nitramines, including the explosives RDX and HMX, are reported. The nature of the major fragment ions is established by labeling with ¹⁵N or¹³C and by high resolution mass spectrometry. Electron-impact-induced fragmentation pathways including the migration of the nitro group in the heterocyclic nitramines, RDX and HMX, are postulated.