Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry of Alkyl Nitrates and Nitrites

The mass spectrometry of alkyl nitrites and alkyl nitrates with chemical ionization using methane and isobutane as reagent gases produces quasi-molecular ions, (M+1)+ and/or (M−1)+. These ions have maximum abundance for lower nitrates and nitrites. The chemical ionization mass spectrometry, in conjunction with gas chromatography, can be used for quantitative estimation of alkyl nitrates and nitrites in very low amounts.