Reduction of aldehydes and ketones by a stoichiometric amount of NaBH4 using a small amount of MeOH or EtOH

Various aldehydes and ketones were treated with a stoichiometric amount of NaBH4 by the addition of a small amount of MeOH or EtOH to give the corresponding alcohols in excellent yields. The reactions were much faster than those of the corresponding solvent-free reactions. Selective reduction of the carbonyl groups of α,β-unsaturated ketones was carried out.