Positive electron impact and chemical ionization mass spectra of some nitramine nitrates

The positive electron impact (EI) and isobutane chemical ionization (CI) mass spectra of six nitramine nitrates were studied with the aid of some accurate mass measurements. In the EI spectra, β fission relative to both the nitramine and nitrate ester is important. In the CI spectra a major ion occurs at MH – 45]⁺ and was found to be mainly due to M + 2H ? NO₂]⁺. All of the compounds except N-(2 hydroxyethyl)-N-(2′,4′,6′-trinitrophenyl)nitramine nitrate gave an MH]⁺ ion. The MH – 45]⁺ ion in the isobutane CI mass spectra of tetryl is also due to M + 2H ? NO₂]⁺.