Mass spectral studies of the anhydrous methyl tin nitrates

Abstract

The mass spectra for the series of compounds Me_xSn(NO₃)_4–x(x= 0–3) have been examined at 70 and 20 eV. The fragmentation patterns for the complexes are suggested with the aid of metastable-ion studies. Fragmentation paths are found to be similar to other alkyltin systems in that marked preference is shown for Sn^IV and Sn^II valence states in tin-containing fragments. Removal of the first nitrate group from the parent ion is accomplished by NO₃ elimination; however, subsequent nitrate elimination proceeds, in part, via stepwise fragmentation of the nitrate group involving N–O bond rupture.