This review deals with the main results obtained in the field of enantioselective protonations. This method allows easy access to various enantiomerically enriched compounds starting from either the corresponding racemic mixture (deracemization process) or various prochiral precursors. Discussions about different factors governing the stereo selectivity as well as a compilation of literature data are given. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.