This invention relates to 1,3-cyclohexanedione derivatives and 1,3-cyclopentanedione derivatives that have buffering function in non-aqueous solutions and to the use thereof for tuning the conditions to control chemical events in non-aqueous solutions. One aspect of the invention is a method for buffering a non-aqueous solution, including adding a buffering molecule to the non-aqueous solution, in which the non-aqueous solution contains an organic solvent, the buffering molecule is a 1,3-cyclohexanedione derivative or a 1,3-cyclopentanedione derivative, and the buffering molecule is optionally conjugated to a solid support.