www.wjpr.net Vol 8, Issue 7, 2019. 265 Joshi et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research COMMON ACIDS AND BASES FOR ORGANIC SYNTHESIS Dirgha Raj Joshi 1 * and Nisha Adhikari 2 1 College of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, 85 Songdogwahak-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 21983, Republic of Korea. 2 College of Pharmacy, Wonkwang University, Republic of Korea. ABSTRACT A proper selection of acid and base plays pivotal role in organic synthesis. The rate of reaction, desired product, yield, handling easiness, stability, solubility, and many more factors depends on acids and bases what we are using. Both the acid and base can be categorized in two classes; organic (eg. Acid- Acetic acid, Formic acid, Ascorbic acid etc., Base- DMAP, DBU, Triethylamine, n-Butyllithium etc.) and inorganic (Acid- Boric acid, Sulfuric acid, Hydrochloric acid, Phosphoric acid etc., Base- Sodium hydroxide, Ammonium hydroxide, Calcium carbonate, Sodium amide etc.). Furthermore, the Lewis acid (eg. Aluminium bromide, Boron trifluoride, Tin (IV) chloride etc.), and Phosphazene base (eg. P 1 -t-Bu, P 2 -t-Bu, P 4 -t-Bu, P 1 -t-Oct, P 2 -F, BTPP, BEMP etc.) are also more popular classes. Based on the molecular structure we may need weak, mild, strong or strongest acid and base. This concise review provides updated information about acids and bases commonly used in organic synthesis. KEYWORDS: Acid, base, organic synthesis, Phosphazene, Lewis acid, reaction. 1. INTRODUCTION The role of acid and base is immense in organic synthesis. [1] We can use organic as well as inorganic acid and base in organic synthesis according to the nature of chemical reaction we are doing, desired product, stability, stereochemistry etc. The hard and soft acids and bases are of great choice for proper reactions. [2] The acids can be broadly categorized into Inorganic, Organic and Lewis acid. Similarly, the bases can be categorized as Organic, Inorganic and Phosphazene Base. [3] Regarding the great importance of these acids and bases in organic synthesis, we cannot even imagine the synthesis if we do not have knowledge World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research SJIF Impact Factor 8.074 Volume 8, Issue 7, 265-276. Review Article ISSN 2277– 7105 Article Received on 12 April 2019, Revised on 02 May 2019, Accepted on 23 May 2019 DOI: 10.20959/wjpr20197-15099 *Corresponding Author Dirgha Raj Joshi College of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, 85 Songdogwahak-ro, Yeonsu- gu, Incheon 21983, Republic of Korea.