Abstract The enantioselective borohydride reduction catalyzed by cobalt (II) complex was successfully applied to 1, 4-reduction of β, β-disubstituted α, β-unsaturated carboxamides. In the presence of less than 1 mol% of optically active aldiminato cobalt (II) complex catalyst, the corresponding carboxamides were obtained in high yields with high enantiomeric excesses.