A process for preparing an optically active ketone represented by formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms; and n represents 1 or 2, which comprises asymmetrically hydrogenating an .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated ketone represented by formula (II): ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 and n are as defined above, in the presence of a ruthenium-optically active phosphine complex as a catalyst. An optically active ketone having a high optical purity can be prepared.
一种制备具有下式(I)表示的光学活性酮的方法:##STR1##其中,R.sup.1表示氢原子或具有1至5个碳原子的烷基基团;n表示1或2,该方法包括在具有以下式(II)表示的α,β-不饱和酮的不对称氢化条件下进行,其中R.sup.1和n如上定义,在以
钌-光学活性膦配合物作为催化剂的情况下。可以制备具有高光学纯度的光学活性酮。