Differentiation of bisphenol F diglycidyl ether isomers and their derivatives by HPLC-MS and GC-MS—comment on the published data

Positional isomers of bisphenol F diglycidyl ether (BFDGE) have been analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS, GC-MS). Positional isomers of BFDGE derivatives (BFDGEx2H(2)O, BFDGExH(2)OxHCl) have been analyzed by HPLC-MS. On the basis of the obtained fragmentation patterns, the elution order of the isomers has been unequivocally determined, in standard solutions and in the sample of liquid obtained after rinsing an empty mackerel fish can with acetonitrile. Under HPLC condition, para,para isomers are eluted first, then ortho,para isomers’ elution follows, and ortho,ortho isomers are eluted last. Under GC condition, the reverse elution order has been obtained. For the first time, two ortho,para isomers of BFDGExH(2)OxHCl have been detected and their elution order has been determined. The obtained results are of key importance for determination of the isomer distribution of BFDGE and its derivatives in food samples. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00216-021-03157-2.