Mass spectroscopic observation of (N3O)+

Research was conducted to examine a cation with atomic composition (N3O)+ using time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The cation was seen in the reaction products of detonated liquid nitromethane. The only possible atomic composition of the cation is (N3O)+ since the same 58 amu species was observed when protonated, deuterated and 13C-labeled nitromethane were detonated. Results provide evidence that the (N3O)+ structure is chemically bound.