Cinchonidine as a chiral modifier was used in the hydrogenation of exocyclic alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones with palladium black catalyst, producing the corresponding saturated ketones up to 54% optical purity (2-benzyl-1-benzosuberone) in toluene under 50 bar hydrogen pressure. The influence of different parameters (solvent, catalyst) on the optical yield was investigated. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.