To obtain the unsaturated straight-chain alcohols from unsaturated straight-chain aldehydes having a plurality of unsaturated bonds at a high conversion rate and with a high selectivity.

In the presence of a catalyst containing at least one species of metals selected from the group III, IV, IX, XIII and XIV of the periodic table and a secondary alcohol the corresponding unsaturated alcohols are prepared by selectively reducing the formyl group of unsaturated aldehydes having a plurality of unsaturated bonds without reducing the unsaturated carbon - carbon bonds. As the unsaturated aldehydes, C5-12 alkadienals (2,4-hexadienal and the like) can be employed.