2-Benzoylalkanoates 1 undergo photoreduction with 2-propanol. The photoreduction products are classified into three types according to their origin: the homo-pinacol-type products 2, 5, 7, and 8, the mixed-pinacol-type product 3, and the β-hydroxy ester 6. The product distribution is affected by α-methyl substitution. The α-methyl substitution decreases the percentage of the homo-pinacol-type products