The hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde to cinnamyl alcohol over a platinum on carbon catalyst could be intensified and made more selective in a two-phase system using toluene and aqueous alkaline solution. Enhancement in the selectivity with respect to citronellol was noticed in the two-phase hydrogenation of citronellal, while the reaction rate was marginally affected. Potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide were found to be efficient promoters.