Modification of transition metal cations to polymer-stabilized Pt colloidal clusters modified with cinchonidine was studied in enantioselective hydrogenation of methyl pyruvate. Compared to the enantiomeric excess (e.e.) value (71.4%) obtained without the presence of metal cations

obvious e.e. enhancement (up to 82.5%) was resulted from the addition of Zn2+ but with a certain decrease in activity. The reaction parameters in the presence of Zn2+ were also studied. It was found that the Pt colloidal catalysts in the presence of metal cations performed very differently from that in the absence of metal cations.