Abstract A simple and rapid procedure for the almost quantitative reduction of aromatic aldehydes, ketones, diketones and oxo aldehydes to alcohols by use of TiCl 3/NH 3 in aqueous methanol solution is reported. The reducing system distinguishes between different classes of aldehydes and/or ketones, and many functionalities that usually do not survive under reducing conditions are tolerated well. The concept of reversal of chemoselectivity ...