Silica gels modified by alkoxyalcohols were prepared by refluxing silica gel and alkoxyalcohols in n-decane. Characterization of the modified silica gels was performed by FT-IR, DTA and elemental analysis.Benzyl bromide, n-hexyl bromide and dibromoethane reacted with potassium acetate in the presence of the modified SiO2 to give the corresponding acetates. Reduction of acetophenone, cyclohexanone, 1-indanone and 2-octanone with NaBH4 proceeded smoothly in the presence of the modified SiO2.