The application of diastereoselective hydrogenation catalyzed by heter
ogeneous catalysts for the asymmetric synthesis of organic compounds i
s illustrated in the reduction of several functional groups. In that a
pproach, the chiral information is provided by the prior attachment of
a chiral auxiliary to the substrate to be hydrogenated. The optically
active hydrogenated product is then disconnected from the chiral auxi
liary. Proper choice of the inductor, of the catalyst and of reaction
conditions may result in high diastereoselectivities.