Chiral symmetrical salen-Co(II) complexes were used as the catalysts in the asymmetric borohydride reduction of aromatic ketones using sodium borohydride. Enantiomeric excesses up to 70% and >99% yield in 2.5 mol% catalytic amount were achieved at room temperature for 24 h. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.