A solution of 0.7 g (0.02 mol) of sodium borohydride in 3 ml of 0.1 normal aqueous sodium hydroxide solution is added to a mixture of 6.0 g (0.02 mol) of 3-cyclohexyl-1-(5-methyl-1,3-dioxan-5-yl)-2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-propan-1-one, 2.3 g of powdered calcium chloride and 30 ml of ethanol, while cooling with ice. When the evolution of gas has ended, the precipitate formed is dissolved again by addition of 30 ml of ethanol and 50 ml of dilute hydrochloric acid, the solution is concentrated to 60 ml in vacuo and the concentrate is neutralized with aqueous bicarbonate solution and extracted twice with 100 ml of methylene chloride each time. The combined organic phases are washed with water, dried over sodium sulphate and freed from the solvent in vacuo. 6.3 g (100% of theory) of 3-cyclohexyl-1-(5-methyl-1,3-dioxan-5-yl)-2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-propan-1-ol are obtained as a colorless oil.
