Mechanistic studies of the nitration of hexamathylanetetramine (1) and some derivatives are reported and are compared with acetylation reactions. Nitration reactions, with nitric acid, were carried out using mixtures of [15N4]-and [14N4]-compounds and the destination of the nitrogen-isotopes in the products was determined mass spectrometrically. The results show that in nitration of (1) to give 3, 7-dinitro-l, 3, 5, 7-tetraazablcyclo [3.3. 1] nonane (DPT) ...