The reduction of α,β unsaturated carbonyl compounds by sodiumborohydride is catalysed by Ni(bpy)Cl 2 (bpy=2,2'-bipyridine). Various carbonyl compounds having the general formula R 1 CH CHCRO [where R 1 , R=C 6 H 5 , H; p-MeO C 6 H 4 ,C 6 H 4 ; p-CH 3 C 6 H 4 , C 6 H 5 ; (m-OMe )(p-OMe )C 6 H 3 , C 6 H 5 ; C 6 H 5 , (CH 3 ) 2 CH ; CH 3 , H; m-Br C 6 H 4 , C 6 H 5 ] are reduced to corresponding allylicalcohol [R 1 CH CHCRHOH] at 25 o C within half an hour. During these reductions the double bond is partially reduced to give saturated alcohols as minor products having the molecular formula R 1 CH 2 CH 2 CRHOH. The reduction of trans-3-phenyl-2-propenal with NaBH 4 and catalytic amounts of Ni(bpy)Cl 2 in solvents containing active deuterium (D 2 O, CD 3 OD), leads to the partial incorporation of deuterium at the α and γ positions to give C D bonded alcohols.