High performance of Me-BIPAM for enantioselective hydrogenation of alpha-dehydroamino esters, enamides, and dimethyl itaconate was demonstrated. [Rh(Me-BIPAM)(diene)]X (diene = cod, nbd; X = BF4, PF6, SbF6) gave optically active beta-aryl alpha-amino esters up to 99% ee, 1-arylethylamines up to 97% ee, methyl 2-acetylaminobutanoate with 90% ee, and dimethyl 2-methylsuccinate with 97% ee under 0.3-0.8 MPa dihydrogen with 0.1-1 mol% catalyst loading. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.