The enantioselective hydrogenation of ethyl benzoylformate to (R)-ethyl mandelate over dihydrocinchonidine (DHCD)-modified Pt/Al2O3 catalyst in acetic acid was studied as a function of modifier concentration, hydrogen pressure and reaction temperature. The maximum enantioselectivity obtained under optimized conditions (DHCD concentration 1 mmol dm(-)3, 25 bar H-2, 0 degreesC, AcOH/toluene 1:1) was 98% ee. The difference between the rates of racemic and enantioselective hydrogenation was less significant than in the case of ethyl pyruvate. This indicates that the high reaction rate in the enantioselective heterogeneous hydrogenation of alpha-ketoesters is not a necessary condition of the chiral induction.