Reduction of trinitroaromatic compounds in water by chemical ionization mass spectrometry

A reduction process was found to occur in the ion source when observing the chemical ionization mass spectra of a series of trinitroaromatic compounds, using water as reagent. The [MH–30]+ ions in the CI mass spectra were due mainly to the reduction of the compounds to their corresponding amines. This was proved by using D2O as reagent: the [MH–30]+ ions were shifted to [MD–28]+ ions. The trinitroaromatic compounds investigated included 1,3,5‐trinitrobenzene, 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene, 2,4,6‐trinitro‐m‐cresol, 2,4,6‐trinitroaniline (picramide) and 2,4,6‐trinitrophenol (picric acid).