Axially chiral C-2-symmetric N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) palladium diaquo complexes 1a and 1b derived from (R)-BINAM are effective catalysts for the enantioselective alpha-hydroxylation of beta-keto esters using oxaziridine 2a as the oxidant to give the corresponding products in high yields along with moderate enantioselectivities (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved