Cationic iridium complexes with chiral P,Nligands and tetrakis [3,5-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate (BAr F ) as the counterion are efficient homogeneous catalysts for the enantioselective hydrogenation of olefins. The complexes are readily prepared, air-stable, and easy to handle. In contrast to chiral rhodium-and ruthenium-phosphine catalysts, they do not require the presence of a polar coordinating group near the C C bond. In the hydrogenation of unfunctionalized arylolefins, high enantioselectivities of > 95% ee with turnover numbers of up to 5000 and turnover frequencies of > 5000 h À1 have been achieved.