Abstract: Enamides have first been prepared by reaction of 5-methoxy-3-chromanone and 2- tetralone with primary amides under acidic conditions. The enantioselectivities observed in the asymmetric hydrogenation of these enamides using ruthenium catalysts strongly depended on both the starting ketone and the nature of the amide group. Key words: ketone, enamide, enantioselective hydrogenation, ruthenium catalyst
