Arenechromium complexed diastereomeric aminophosphine-phosphinite ligands derived from tetrahydroisoquinoline have been synthesised and examined as chiral auxiliaries in the hydrogenation of functionalised ketones. A cyclopentyl-substituted anti-stereoisomer is providing the highest enantioselectivities (up to > 99% ee). (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.