A novel process for producing an optically active amide excellent in
chemical selectivity and enantioselectivity by asymmetric hydrogenation of
an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated amide and also allowing the reaction to
proceed efficiently even when a trace amount of a catalyst is used
relative to the substrate as compared with the amount in a conventional
process. An optically active amide is produced by asymmetric hydrogenation
of an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated amide derivative in the presence of a
transition metal complex containing a specific phosphine-phosphorane
compound.
