A number of opticallyactive amino alcohols were synthesized by direct asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of the corresponding amino ketones with good-to-high enantiomeric excesses (up to 95%) and excellent yields (up to 93% ). When the range of substrates was broadened to include α-sulfonamido ketones or α-keto sulfones, the corresponding products were obtained with 100% enantiomeric excesses. The