Chiral beta-amino alcohols were used as ligands for ruthenium, rhodium and iridium-catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of acetophenones in water with formate as reductant. The catalysts were showed to be capable of asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones in water, but their activities and enantioselectivi ties varied with the ligands used and with Solution pH values, with higher pH favouring higher rates and better enanti oselectivities. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.