A highly enantioselective method for the synthesis of β‐hydroxy esters via reductive aldolreaction of acrylates with aryl and heteroaromatic ketones is described. In situ generated catalyst composed of zinc acetate and chiral diamine afforded enantioenriched tertiary alcohols in high yields and with excellent enantioselectivity (up to 91% ee). This is also the first successful application of the zinc
Zinc acetate complexes with a chiral diphenylethylenediamine (DPEDA)-derived ligand have been proved to be efficient catalysts for the enantioselectivehydrosilylation of aryl ketones. Replacing pyrophoric dialkylzinc with the readily available zinc salt simplifies the procedures and provides excellent conversions (up to >99%) and enantioselectivities (ees up to 97%).