Abstract: Bicyclooctyl phosphines are disclosed having the formula: ##STR1## where R is C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 linear or branched alkyl, phenyl, substituted phenyl, halo, or C.sub.1 or C.sub.6 alkoxy; Ar is phenyl, substituted phenyl, naphthyl or substituted naphthyl; and x is 0 or 1.These phosphines are treated with ruthenium compounds to form a complex of the formula Ru.sub.x H.sub.y Cl.sub.z (anthraphos-m).sub.2 (S).sub.p, where S is a tertiary amine; and when y is 0, then x is 2, z is 4 and p is 1; and when y is 1, then x is 1, z is 1 and p is 0; where anthraphos-m is: ##STR2## where R is C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 linear or branched alkyl, phenyl, substituted phenyl, C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 linear or branched alkoxy or halo; Ar is phenyl or substituted phenyl or naphthyl or substituted naphthyl; and m is 0 or 1.The complex is useful in a process for the asymmetric reduction of olefinic carboxylic acids of the formula: ##STR3## where R.sub.1 and R.sub.