The usual catalyst is a finely divided metal such as platinum,
palladium or nickel It is also prepared by treating aldehydes
and ketones with sodium borohydride (NaBH4) or lithium
aluminium hydride (LiAlH4) Aldehydes yield primary alcohols
whereas ketones give secondary alcohols (ii) By reduction of carboxylic acids and esters: Carboxylic acids
are reduced to primary alcohols in excellent yields by lithium
aluminium hydride, a strong reducing agent