Selection of derivatization conditions for the determination of bisphenols by gas chromatographic determination with mass spectrometric detection

This paper presents optimized derivatization conditions for the gas chromatographic determination with mass spectrometric detection of bisphenol A, B, C, E, F, and AP, which are widely used as monomers or structural analogues in the synthesis of polycarbonates and epoxy resins for food-contact and agro-industrial applications. These compounds represent not only analytical targets but also residual low-molecular-weight species originating from incomplete polycondensation or curing processes in polymer matrices. As a result of this study, the temperature, reaction time, and reagent amount required for complete derivatization of the six bisphenols were determined. The proposed conditions ensure efficient formation of 2-trimethylsilyl derivatives while preventing their thermal degradation. The study demonstrates that bisphenol S, which is increasingly used as an alternative monomer in epoxy and polycarbonate-like materials, exhibits fundamentally different derivatization behavior due to its sulfone group and elevated polarity. This result highlights an important materials-related conclusion: polymer additives or substitute monomers introduced to replace BPA may exhibit not only different migration tendencies but also distinct analytical accessibility. Consequently, the choice of analytical methodology must be aligned with the chemical nature of the polymer constituents under investigation. The developed protocol is an affordable alternative to costly liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry methods and can be used to monitor the migration of bisphenols from polymeric materials widely used in the agro-industrial sector—from the packaging and storage of agricultural products to irrigation systems and components of agricultural machinery. Monitoring the levels of these endocrine disruptors in food products and the environment aligns with the principles of sustainable development and food safety.