Tin hydride 1 is activated for nucleophilic hydride transfer and also for radical chain reduction, depending on solvent. The nucleophilic hydride pathway is favored in methanol, and 1 can be used as a selective reducing agent for ketones. Simple ketones are not reduced in aprotic solvents, but 8-hydroxy ketones are activated internally by the hydroxyl group and can be reduced in THF with good control of stereochemistry, as in the ...