The enantioselective hydrogenation of 2,2,2-trifluoroacetophenone to (R)-1-phenyl-2,2,2-trifluoroethanol represents a new application of supported Pt catalysts modified with cinchona alkaloids. Heat treatment of a 5 wt% Pt/alumina catalyst at 400 degrees C in flowing hydrogen, followed by an air-treatment of the reaction mixture before the hydrogenation reaction improved the enantiomeric excess by a factor of 2.5. Traces of water in apolar medium, high trifluoroacetophenone and moderate cinchonidine concentrations were also advantageous for enantiodifferentiation. Both reaction rate and enantiomeric excess increased during the initial transient period of the reaction, below 10% conversion.