Birch reduction (see reviews (1-5)) is the name given to the reaction of unsaturated organic compounds with alkali metals and alcohols in liquid am- monia. - i T 1 3 +--"'( a) , , ,e (NHa) NH 3) + ROH ----+ () ll. (NHa) A H H 4) H H 5) ')', ",,\\+ + RO"