We discuss why conventional "high-resolution" instruments (10,000–20,000 resolving power) are no longer sufficient to keep pace with the complexity of atmospheric chemistry. Even in standard systems like α-pinene oxidation, overlapping spectral peaks obscure important compounds, leaving researchers guessing at their identity and role.
Through mass defect plots, Orbitrap spectra, and simulated resolution comparisons, the paper demonstrates how resolving power above 100,000 is now a baseline requirement—not a luxury—for untargeted discovery, confident molecular assignments, and quantitative accuracy.
The paper also outlines how high-resolution Orbitrap-based MPCI-MS systems, using solid-state chemical ionization reagents, provide a practical path forward. These systems combine broad chemical coverage with high precision and field-deployable stability—opening the door to routine detection of VOCs, HOMs, SVOCs, and oxidation products with clarity and confidence.
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