From readily preparable chiral diamines were obtained new aminophosphines,(3S)-[N, N′- bis (diphenylphosphino)]-3-aminopiperidine, and (3S)-[N, N′-bis (diphenylphosphino)]-3- (methylamino) piperidine. Asymmetric hydrogenation of α-acylaminoacrylic acids, employing Rh (I) complexes with these aminophosphines as catalyst, gave optically active N-acyl-α- amino acids.