New chiral P,N,O Schiff base ligands derived from substituted salicylaldehyde and (R)-1-[(S)-2-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocenyl]ethylamine[(R,S-Fc)-PPFNH2] have been prepared and employed in ruthenium catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of simple ketones. Up to 94% e.e. with 99% conversion was obtained when the electron-withdrawing 3,5-dinitro substituted ligand 2f was used. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.