The effects of Na acetate and residual aluminum on the hydrogenation rate, optical yield and catalyst durability for the enantio-differentiating hydrogenation of methyl acetoacetate were studied over tartaric acid-modified Raney nickel catalysts with the in situ modification. There was an optimal Na acetate amount at which the highest optical yield and high hydrogenation rate were achieved. The addition of Na acetate in the repeat use could improve the catalyst durability significantly. The amount of the residual aluminum in Raney nickel catalysts also played an important role in this catalyst system. The highest optical yield of 61.6% was achieved over the improved T-1 RNi catalyst. Compared with previous literatures, this is the best result for the enantio-differentiating hydrogenation of methyl acetoacetate over in situ modified Raney nickel catalysts.