Abstract: trans-RuH(&eegr;1-BH4)[(S)-xylbinap][(S,S)-dpen] (0.00125 mmol), acetophenone (5.0 mmol), and 2-propanol (2.5 mL) were placed in an autoclave, and the resulting solution was repeatedly subject 5 times to a procedure of performing pressure reduction and argon introduction while stirring the solution for deaeration. A hydrogen tank was then connected to the autoclave, and after replacing the air inside an introduction tube with hydrogen, the pressure inside the autoclave was adjusted to 5 atmospheres and then hydrogen was released until the pressure dropped to 1 atmosphere. After repeating this procedure 10 times, the hydrogen pressure was adjusted to 8 atmospheres and stirring at 25° C. was performed for 12 hours. By concentrating the solution obtained by depressurization and subjecting the crude product to simple distillation, (R)-1-phenylethanol (yield: 95%) in the form of a colorless oily substance was obtained at an ee of 99%.