Abstract: A process is described for the preparation of a precursor alcohol of Cizolirtine, (±)-2-[phenyl(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)methoxy]-N,N-dimethylethanamine and its enantiomers. The process involves the asymmetric reduction of a prochiral ketone in the presence of a chiral ruthenium (II) catalyst system including at least a bidentate phosphorous-containing ligand and a diamine ligand to yield chiral alcohols. The chiral alcohols are further O-alkylated to yield corresponding pharmaceutically active ethanamines.