Abstract Catalytic asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of aromatic alkyl ketones has been investigated using [Ru (p-cymene) Cl 2] 2 and new derivatives of β-amino alcohols synthesized from (S)-(−)-lactic acid and mandelic acid as ligands. Chiral secondary alcohols were obtained with good to excellent conversion (60–90%) and moderate to good enantioselectivities (40–86%). Graphical Abstract Asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ...