Preparation of Alcohols:

Functional group transformation

 Alcohols can be synthesized through nucleophilic substitution of alkyl halides, reduction of aldehydes or ketones, hydrolysis of esters, reduction of carboxylic acids or esters, electrophilic addition of alkenes, hydroboration of alkenes or substitution of ethers.

C-C bond formation

Alcohols can as well be made from epoxides, ketones,aldehydes, esters, and acid chlorides like a consequence of C-C bond formation. These reactions include the addition of carbanion equivalents by the make use of Grignard or organolithium reagents and are explained in detail elsewhere in the text.