Mass Spectra and Metastable Transitions in Isotopic Nitrous Oxides

Abstract
The mass spectra of the four species N14N14O, N14N15O, N15N14O, and N15N15O have been recorded. The (NO)+ fragment produced was found to be formed by rearrangement, as well as by loss of the end nitrogen. The mass spectrum of each of the nitrous oxides contained ions corresponding to metastable transitions. These ions were shown to arise from both spontaneous and collision induced dissociation of the parent molecule ion (N2O)+. The electron impact dissociation of nitrous oxide is discussed.