Abstract: The invention relates to an asymmetric hydrogenation method for ketone compounds, comprising the step of: under hydrogen atmosphere, in the presence of an in situ catalyst derived from a chiral ligand and a ruthenium salt, adding a ketone compound and a base into a second solvent to carry out an asymmetric hydrogenation for the ketone compound. The invention can obtain a conversion of 100% and a highest asymmetric inducement effect of 99.7% for the ketone compound. The invention has the advantages including simple procedure, high conversion and selectivity, good atom economy and good prospect of industrial application.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel bisphosphine compound having a chiral center on the phosphorus atom, which is suitable as a ligand for an asymmetric catalyst for use in asymmetric hydrogenation, this bisphosphine compound being represented by the following formula (1): (where t—C8H17 denotes 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl), and a process for the production of this bisphosphine compound. Also provided are a transition metal complex having this bisphosphine compound as a ligand, and a process for the asymmetric hydrogenation of an unsubstituted carboxylic acid or its ester.

Abstract: An &agr;-lithium aluminate obtained through a solid-phase reaction of a &ggr;-alumina and a lithium compound, wherein said &agr;-lithium aluminate comprises particles having a round shape, with a BET specific surface area in the range of 4-7 m2/g, and substantially not including &ggr;-lithium aluminate. Further, said &agr;-lithium aluminate is manufactured by dry-mixing a &ggr;-alumina having a BET specific surface area in the range of 70-140 m2/g and a lithium compound, and then baking and reacting said compound in solid-phase.