Based on Milos Hudlicky's meticulous notes and literature studies, this book is a compilation of the types of reductions undergone by the various classes of organic compounds. No survey of a topic as broad as reduction could ever be complete, but Hudlicky gives us a comprehensive cross section of the methods, reactants, and products. Reductions are discussed according to what bond or functional group is reduced by different reagents.

Special attention is paid to selective reductions that are suitable for the reduction of one particular type of bond or function without affecting other bonds or functions present in the same molecule. Special emphasis is placed on enantioselective and diastereoselective reductions effected both by chiral reagents and by microorganisms. Reducing agents are correlated with both the starting compounds and the products of reduction. Discussions of methods, mechanisms, stereochemistry, and scopes of reducing agents are included. Selected laboratory procedures demonstrate the main reduction techniques. Correlation tables and thorough author and subject indexes make this book easy to use.

This book is an essential reference for teachers and research scientists in organic chemistry and a help to graduate students.