Chemoselective transfer hydrogenation of beta-ketoesters to the corresponding alcohols is achieved in the presence of catalytic combinations of [RuCl2(eta(6)-arene)](2) and ephedrine or diamino type chiral ligands with activities up to 190 h(-1) at 20 degrees C and moderate to good enantiomeric excesses ranging from 36 to 94%. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.