The electrochemical oxidation of bisphenol A was carried out using platinum, glassy carbon, titanium dioxide and polypyrrole modified working electrodes. Acetonitrile and water were evaluated as solvents; however, passivation could not be avoided due to the formation of insoluble oxidation products that adhere to the surface. The use of ultrasound did not show any improvement either. Finally, by using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements at the open circuit potential it was possible to obtain a steady response of one of the components of the equivalent circuit proposed. This response is only dependent on the concentration of bisphenol A. At the same time it was demonstrated that the adsorption is a fundamental process that occurs more easily in water than in acetonitrile, this fact is reflected in the impedance spectra. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.