The addition of Me3SiCN and LICH2CN to (+)-camphor and (-)-fenchone. respectively, followed by reduction leads to chiral beta- and gamma -aminoalcohols. The enantioselectivities realized using these aminoalcohols as ligands in the addition of Et2Zn to benzaldehyde were lower than those obtained using the corresponding delta -aminoalcohols. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.