Aldehydes yield primary alcohols, while ketones give secondary alcohols upon reduction. Reduction by lithium aluminium hydride involves the addition of hydride ions and is an effective method for obtaining alcohols from aldehydes and ketones.

Aldehydes and ketones are reduced to alcohols by catalytic hydrogenation, employing finely divided metals like platinum, palladium, or nickel as catalysts. Alternatively, sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) or lithium aluminium hydride (LiAlH₄) can be used.

In hydroboration–oxidation, borane adds to the double bond with the boron atom attaching to the sp² carbon carrying more hydrogen atoms, contrary to Markovnikov’s rule. The reaction yields excellent alcohol formation.

Hydroboration–oxidation involves the reaction of alkenes with diborane to form trialkyl boranes, which are then oxidized to alcohols by hydrogen peroxide in the presence of aqueous sodium hydroxide. This process contradicts Markovnikov’s rule as the boron atom attaches to the ...

Reactions with carboxylic acids and acid anhydrides require concentrated sulfuric acid, while reactions with acid chlorides use a base like pyridine. Acetylation, as seen in the production of aspirin from salicylic acid, involves introducing an acetyl group (CH₃CO) into alcohols ...