Enantioselective hydrogenation can be applied to preparation of a host of valuable bioactive compounds. The synthesis of optically pure chiral substances has recently become an important and indispensable component of chemical procedures, in particular in the production of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and fragrant and flavouring substances. The data in literature reveal that the application of suitably modified catalysts opens a new, as yet unexplored field of enantioselective heterogeneous hydrogenations. The promising catalysts of this type include nickel modified with various optically active compounds. This review describes main aspects of operating modified nickel catalysts. The way of adsorption of the modifier and of the substrate is discussed in more detail as well as the mechanism oí enantioselective hydrogenation.