The reactivity of the explosive tetryl (N-methyl-N,2,4,6-tetranitroaniline; Mw = 287 u) was studied using electrospray ionization in negative mode. The main species detected in the spectrum corresponds to the ion observed at m/z 318 (previously assumed to be the odd-electron ion [tetryl + HNO](-•) , C7 H6 O9 N6 ). In this study, we show using D-labeling combined with high-resolution mass spectrometry that this species corresponds to an even-electron anion (i.e. C8 H8 O9 N5 ), resulting from the formation of a Meisenheimer complex between tetryl and the methanol used as the solvent. Fragmentation of this complex under CID conditions revealed an unexpected fragment: the formation of a 2,4,6-trinitrophenoxide anion at m/z 228. (18) O-labeling combined with quantum chemical calculations helped us better understand the reaction pathways and mechanisms involved in the formation of this product ion. This occurs via a transition state leading to a SN2 -type reaction, consequently evolving toward an ion-dipole complex. The latter finally dissociates into deprotonated picric acid. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.