Neutral ruthenium complexes bearing aminophosphine-phosphinite ligands have been applied in the enantioseIective hydrogenation of alpha- (5-7) and beta- (8-10) functionalized ketones. The corresponding hydroxycompounds are produced with enantiomeric excesses up to 63 and 85% respectively for the two types of substrates. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.