Introduction:

A solvent is a substance that dissolves a solute (a chemically

different liquid, solid or gas), resulting in a solution. A solvent is
usually a liquid. The maximum quantity of solute that can dissolve
in a specific volume of solvent varies with temperature.

Types of solvents:
On the basis of nature:
1. Organic solvents: The solvent that is organic in nature. For
example, alcohol.
2. Inorganic solvents: The solvent that is inorganic in nature.
For example, water

On the basis of polarity:

1. Polar solvents: A solvent which has capability of developing
strong poles. For example, water. These solvents have high
dielectric constant values. Dielectric constant value of water is
80.
2. Semi-polar solvents: The solvents which has capability of
developing weak poles. For example, methanol. Dielectric
constant value of methanol is 30.
3. Non-polar solvents: The solvents which are not able to
develop poles. For example, benzene. These solvent have low
dielectric constant values. The dielectric constant value of
benzene is 5.7

On the basis of use:

Solvents
Solvents
Solvents
Solvents

Used in Manufacturing of Pharmaceuticals

for oral and external preparations
for External preparations
for Injectable preparations

Purpose of using the solvents:

1. These are used in the synthesis of active pharmaceutical
ingredients
2. These are used in the formulations for volume make up
3. These are used in cleaning the equipment
4. Solvents are used for extraction of drugs or other substances
5. Solvents are employed in the process of purification
6. Solvents provide the reaction medium
7. Solvents are also used to control the properties of a certain
medication like its viscosity, flow out, spreading rate, etc.
8. Solvents may also be used as flavoring agents
9. Solvents may also be used as preservatives
10.
Some solvents are also as anti-microbial
11.
Solvents may also be used to separate two or more
components

Examples of Solvents used in pharmacy:

i.

Solvents Used in Manufacturing of Pharmaceuticals

i. Water: It has more extensive range of solubility

than any other liquid and has advantage of
cheapness. Therefore it is the most commonly
employed solvent.
ii. Ethyl alcohol: it is widely used in pharmacy as
solvent.it dissolves resins, glycosides, free alkaloids
and their salts but not dissolve gums, albumin,
starch, and many inorganic salts.
iii. Glycerine: it is a good solvent for many substances
that are not very soluble in water. For example,
borax and phenol.it also act as a preservative.
iv. Isopropyl alcohol: it is more toxic than ethyl
alcohol and cannot be used for preparations taken
internally. It is often used in lotions and cosmetic
perfumes
v. Diethylene glycol: It is used as a solvent for
nitrocellulose resins and oils. Diethyl glycol
monoethyl ether is used as a solvent for of fats and
waxes

vi. Chloroform: Chloroform is good solvent for many

alkaloids and fats. It is not inflammable and
sparingly soluble in water. It is an excellent
preservative and flavoring agent as it has a sweet
taste
vii. Light petroleum: it is a fraction of petroleum
consisting mainly of hexane. It is very volatile and
highly inflammable and is a good solvent for oils,
fats and resins.
viii. Acetone: It dissolve many resins and fats and
employed as a solvent for cantharidin in
preparations for external use where its volatility is
of value and its odor not of importance.it is
unsuitable for preparations for internal use.
ix. Light liquid paraffin: It has been used for
preparing oily nasal drop containing oil soluble
substances such as camphor, menthol extract.
x. Ethyl oleate: It is a good solvent for steroid
hormones and other oil soluble medicaments. It has
low viscosity which makes it a useful vehicle for oily
intra muscular injections

Ideal properties of Solvents:

1. It
2. It
3. It
4. It
5. It
6. It
7. It
8. It
9. It
10.
11.
12.

should be pharmacologically inert

should have no interaction with drug
should be cost effective
should be stable for handling
must be feasible
should easily dissolve or disperse the polymer system
should be colorless
should be tasteless
should be non-inflammable
It should have no environmental impact
It should be less volatile
It should have anti-microbial activity

References:
1.