Identification of transformation/degradation products of tetrabromobisphenol A and its derivatives

The structural identification as well as quantitative analysis of transformation and degradation (T/D) products of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and its derivatives can provide useful information on the corresponding T/D mechanism as well as environmental impact. However, it is still a great challenge to analyze trace levels of T/D products, both unknown and known products, as a result of the complexity of environmental matrices and the lack of commercial/artificial standard chemicals. This critical review summarized the T/D model experiments, sample preparation and the associated analytical methods, including extraction, purification, concentration, derivatization, quantitation analysis and 14C-labeling technologies. Furthermore, the mass spectral analysis of TBBPA related compounds using different analytical instruments and T/D products predicted by computer programs are also described.