Thermal Reactivity of Methylammonium Nitrates

The reactivity of the mono-, di- and trimethyl-ammonium nitrates to heat has been studied using differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetry and mass spectral analysis. The decomposition temperature of these compounds increases in the order $CH_3NH_3NO_3 > (CH_3)_2NH_2NO_3 > (CH_3)_3NHNO_3$. The activation energies have been determined employing isothermal decomposition technique. Mass spectrometric investigation shows that the extent of decomposition increases with increasing substitution on the nitrogen atom. Possible reasons for such behaviour have been explored