A method for the chemoselective hydrogenation of α, β unsaturated carbonyl compounds is disclosed, in which compounds of the formula R4R3C═CR2—C(O)R1, wherein R1—R4 are as defined herein, are reacted with a hybrid donor to form a compound of formula R4R3CH—CH(R2)—C(O)R1, in which R1—R4 are as above. That method permits the selective hydrogenation of α, β unsaturated aldehydes and ketones without the use of metal catalysts.