The reduction of α, β unsaturated carbonyl compounds by sodiumborohydride is catalysed by Ni (bpy) Cl2 (bpy= 2, 2′-bipyridine). Various carbonyl compounds having the general formula R1CH CHCRO [where R1, R= C6H5, H; p-MeO C6H4, C6H4; p-CH3 C6H4, C6H5;(m-OMe)(p-OMe) C6H3, C6H5; C6H5,(CH3) 2CH; CH3, H; m-Br C6H4, C6H5] are reduced to corresponding allylicalcohol [R1CH CHCRHOH] at 25° C within ...