2-pyridyl ketones (5-c) and ethyl cyclopropylmethlenepyruvate (14) have been subjected to reduction by l,4-dihydropyridines [3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-2,6-dimethyl-l,4-dihydropyridine (2) and/or 1-benzyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide (7)]in the presence of magnesium ions, and by tin hydrides. The reactions with 1,4-dihydropyridines do not involve cleavage of the three-membered ring in the reduction step. The