A single unit catalyst system (Pt/silica-chiral modifier) is developed for the enantioselective hydrogenation of ethyl pyruvate. Cinchonidine was tethered directly without prior modification over carboxylate functionalized SBA-15 by the reaction of vinyl group in cinchonidine with -COOH group in functionalized SBA-15 through ester linkage. Then Pt nanoparticles were deposited over cinchonidine tethered SBA-15. The mesostructures were characterized by small-angle XRD, N-2 sorption and TEM, while the surface functionalization was confirmed by FTIR, TG/DTA and solid state C-13 NMR. Enantioselectivity of the catalyst system for hydrogenation of ethyl pyruvate was determined by GC/FID. The highest enantiomeric excess was achieved as 70.8% and the catalyst recyclability was authenticated even after 3rd reuse without significant loss in enantiomeric excess. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.