Method for synthesizing optically active carbonyl compounds

The present invention relates to a method for synthesizing an optically active carbonyl compound by asymmetric hydrogenation of a prochiral [alpha],[beta]-unsaturated carbonyl compound with hydrogen in the presence of at least one optically active transition metal catalyst which is soluble in the reaction mixture and comprises rhodium as catalytically active transition metal and a chiral, bidentate bisphosphine ligand; during the hydrogenation of the prochiral [alpha],[beta]-unsaturated carbonyl compound, the reaction mixture further comprises at least one compound of the general formula (I), in which R1 and R2 are identical or different and are C6- to C10-aryl which is unsubstituted or carries one or more, e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, substituents selected from C1- to C6-alkyl, C3- to C6-cycloalkyl, C6- to C10-aryl, C1- to C6-alkoxy and amino; Z is a group CHR3R4 or aryl, which is unsubstituted or carries one or more, e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, substituents selected from C1- to C6-alkyl, C3- to C6-cycloalkyl, C6- to C10