The highly stereoselective hydride reductions of chiral 2-p-tolylsulfinyl-cyclopentanones and cycloheptanones are described. With DIBAL (electrophilic hydride) the configuration induced at C-1 is controlled by the sulfinyl group (1,3-asymmetric induction), and it can be inverted by using ZnCl2 as catalyst. With L-selectride the stereoselectivity is directed by the C-2 chiral groups (1,2-asymmetric induction). Other nucleophilic hydrides gave results which depend on the reagents and the size of the rings.