The easily accessible complexes [MCl2 (dppf)(ampy)](M= Ru (cis-1), Os (trans-2); dppf= 1, 1′-bis (diphenylphosphino) ferrocene; ampy= 2-aminomethylpyridine) in the presence of base (NaO i Pr, KO t Bu) are efficient catalysts for several reactions involving carbonyl compounds and alcohols. The derivatives 1 and 2 catalyze the selective transfer hydrogenation of aldehydes and ketones to alcohols with 2-propanol using 0.1–0.005 mol ...