ABSTRACT The present invention relates to a process for the efficient preparation of enantiomerically enriched beta amino acid derivatives wherein the amino group is unprotected. The product chiral beta amino acid derivatives are useful in the asymmetric synthesis of biologically active molecules. The process comprises an enantioselective hydrogenation of an amine-unprotected prochiral beta-amino acrylic acid or derivative thereof in the presence of a rhodium metal precursor complexed with a chiral mono- or bisphosphine ligand.