The enantioselective hydrogenation of ethyl pyruvate in the presence of TS-1 supported rhodium nanoclusters and chiral modifier cinchonidine, cinchonine and quinine was investigated. The results showed that cinchonidine was the best modifier and THF was an excellent solvent for the reaction. Cinchonidine and quinine not only induced the enantioselectivity, but also accelerated the reaction. The interaction between the support and rhodium nanoclusters, as well as the adsorption of modifier on the support surface played an important role in promoting the increase of the catalytic activity and enantioselectivity. Under the optimum conditions, 268 K, 7 MPa of hydrogen pressure and 4.0 x 10(-3) mol/l of cinchonidine in THF, the mole conversion of ethyl pyruvate and enantiomeric excess of R-ethyl lactate reached up to 100 and 63.1%, respectively. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.