Luche Reaction (Reduction)

Luche reduction is the selective organic reduction of α,β-unsaturated ketones to allylic alcohols. The active reductant is described as "cerium borohydride", which is generated in situ from NaBH4 and CeCl3(H2O)7.

The Luche reduction can be conducted chemoselectively toward ketone in the presence of aldehydes or towards α,β-unsaturated ketones in the presence of a non-conjugated ketone.