The effects of trialkylborane on the stereochemistry of ketone reduction with lithium borohydride were studied for the four representative ketones, namely 4-t-butylcyclohexanone, 2-methylcyclohexanone, norcamphor, and camphor. The presence of trialkylborane increased the yields of the less stable alcohols. For example, in the presence of tri-s-butylborane, 42 % yield of cis-4-t-butylcyclohexanol was observed whereas only 8 % yield with lithium borohydride alone in the reduction of 4-t-butylcyclohexanone. The in situ formation of lithium trialkylborohydride, by the hydride transfer from lithium trialkoxyborohydride to trialkylborane, was demonstrated as a possible mechanism for the catalytic effect of trialkylborane.