A catalytic amount of a chiral zinc alkoxide of 5-carbamoyl-3-pyridyl alkyl alcohol catalyzes an enantioselective alkylation of 5-carbamoylpyridine-3-carbaldehyde by diisopropylzinc to afford itself in up to 86% e.e. with the same configuration as the catalyst. Enantioselectivity is dependent on the structure of substituents on the nitrogen atom of the amide.