Investigation of the Impurities in Erythritol Tetranitrate (ETN) Using UHPLC‐QTOF

In order to further gain a comprehensive chemical understanding of erythritol tetranitrate (ETN), the synthesis impurities of ETN were investigated using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography with tandem high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). A total of 12 impurities were identified relating to the synthesis of ETN. We have synthesized pure analytical standards of erythritol-1,4-dinitrate (1,4-EDiN) and erythritol-1,2,4-trinitrate (1,2,4-ETriN). These isomerically pure standards have allowed for confirmation of the identity of some of the discovered impurities. Additionally, partially nitrated with sulfate substituted erythritol was identified which is theorized to have formed from the incomplete displacement of the formed sulfate group on the alcohol position during nitration.