An asymmetric high-pressure (ca. 10 kbar) reaction of various 2-alkylfurans and atmospheric-pressure reaction of 2-methoxyfuran with alkyl glyoxylates, catalyzed by the chiral (salen)Co complexes, has been studied. The reaction afforded chiral furfuryl alcohols, compounds of significant synthetic interest, with moderate to good enantioselectivity (up to 76% ee). (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier B.V.