A process for preparation of alcohols of the formula R--CH2 OH)a by reducing an ester of the formula R--COOR1)a wherein R is a C1 -C10 alkyl or alkylene radical or fluorine substituted alkyl or alkylene radical, R1 is a C1 -C8 alkyl or fluorinated alkyl radical, and a is an integer of 1 or 2, with an alkali metal borohydride and a proton source wherein said proton source comprises at least one of