The best methodology for preparation of alchols is the Grignard (or lithium reagent) addition to an aldehyde or ketone. To determine which reactants are appropriate for a given alcohol:

• Focus first on the carbon bearing the OH, and determine whether it is 1^o, 2^o, or 3^o

• If the alcohol is 1^o, disconnect the R into a Grignard and write CH₂=O as the other reactant
  

• If the alcohol is 2^o, disconnect one R into a Grignard and the other into an aldehyde; if the R groups are different, two syntheses are possible
  

• If the alcohol is 3^o, disconnect one R into a Grignard, and the other two into a ketone; as many as three syntheses will be possible, except:
  • If the 3^o OH is on a ring, always make the ring the ketone
  

• Remember, the OH always comes from the aldehyde or ketone component