Chromatography Forum

For a UPLC-MS/MS system, how important is it that the room temperature is controlled to within a +/-5C range? If room temperature exceeds this range, what can an analyst expect to see in their results?

Some additional info about the UPLC-MS/MS system - gradient mobile phase, column at 40C, chemical residue analysis, ... let me know if you need additional info. I mainly just want an open discussion on the importance (or lack therof) of temperature control for a UPLC MS/MS system.

Nowadays, controlled room temperature is not really important for the UPLC part. Most, if not every, UHPLC systems have a column oven (keeping the column temperature stable, and so the retention times) and a thermostated autosampler (keeping the samples temperature stable).

MS systems require a stable temperature to prevent any calibration shift, that could lead to mass precision deviation during the analyses.
If you use a high resolution mass spectrometer, you really should have a controlled room temperature within a +/-2C range (and prevent any rapid temperature fluctuation, even inside this range).
Also, even if your room temperature is controlled, never install a mass spectrometer near a heat source (or in front of a window without blinds, exposed to direct sunlight), or near the air conditioning system.

And in any case, always prevent temperature exceeding 30°C in the lab to prevent any overheating of the mass spectrometer.