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Potassium Hydrogen Phthalate (KHP) is a classic primary standard substance in that it is readily available in high purity; is relatively inexpensive; is easy to dry; is neither hygroscopic, oxidized by air, nor affected by Carbon Dioxide (thus making it easy to weigh out); does not undergo decomposition during storage; has a relatively high equivalent weight (thus reducing errors when weighed to 0.1 mg precision); is readily soluble in water; and is stoichiometric and instantaneous in reactions. 

Hypophosphorous acid is a phosphorus oxoacid and a powerful reducing agent with molecular formula H3PO2. Inorganic chemists refer to the free acid by this name (also as "HPA"), or the acceptable name of phosphinic acid. It is a colorless low-melting compound, which is soluble in water, dioxane, and alcohols. The formula for hypophosphorous acid is generally written H3PO2, but a more descriptive presentation is HOP(O)H2 which highlights its monoprotic character. Salts derived from this acid are called phosphinates (hypophosphites).

Ethyl acetate (systematically ethyl ethanoate, commonly abbreviated EtOAc or EA) is the organic compound with the formula CH3–COO–CH2–CH3, simplified to C4H8O2. This colorless liquid has a characteristic sweet smell (similar to pear drops) and is used in glues, nail polish removers, decaffeinating tea and coffee, and cigarettes (see a list of additives in cigarettes). Ethyl acetate is the ester of ethanol and acetic acid; it is manufactured on a large scale for use as a solvent. The combined annual production in 1985 of Japan, North America, and Europe was about 400,000 tonnes.