Ethyl 2-oxo-4-phenylbutyrate is an aliphatic α-ketoester. Bioreduction of ethyl 2-oxo-4-phenylbutyrate is reported to yield ethyl (R)-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutanoate. The effect of ionic liquid on the asymmetric reduction of ethyl 2-oxo-4-phenylbutyrate by Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been reported. Asymmetric reduction of ethyl 2-oxo-4-phenylbutyrate using a bacterial reductase is reported. Enantioselective hydrogenation of ethyl 2-oxo-4-phenylbutyrate using homogeneous Rh-diphosphine and heterogeneous Pt/Al2O3-cinchona catalysts has been reported.