Hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane ion dissociation mechanisms based on mass-analyzed ion kinetic energy spectrum

The ion dissociation pathways of hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (HNIW) are studied in this paper. A mass spectrometer with mass-analyzed ion kinetic energy spectrum is used for studying ions produced by electron impacts on HNIW. Dissociation processes from various precursor ions to product ions are proposed. Fifteen fragments including the largest m/z 392 and the smallest m/z 67 and m/ z 54 βe discussed. Dissociation of HNIW precursor ions with NO₂ was found to produce product ions with removal of NO₂ or NO molecules through β-inducement or α-inducement effects. HNIW framework precursor ions produce ions at (m-27)/z through losing HCN and ions at (m-1)/z through losing H atoms. Possible structures of HNIW-NO₂ ionns and framework ions are suggested.