Because MC1220 is a promising microbicide with anti‐HIV‐1 activity, the possibility for asymmetric synthesis of its potential precursors is explored. Here, we investigate asymmetric reduction of the vinyl double bond of 6‐(1‐arylvinyl)pyrimidine derivatives to their corresponding ethylidene analogues. Catalysts with ligands bearing trivalent phosphorus ligating the soft metals rhodium(I), ruthenium(II), or iridium(I) are used for asymmetric reduction of the vinyl derivatives 5a–e. The enantioselective reduction reaches 92% ee and about 71% conversion for reduction of the 6‐(1‐(3,5‐dimethylphenyl)vinyl)pyrimidine derivative 5b using the asymmetric catalyst catASium M(R)Rh (7m). However, for the more sterically hindered double bond in the corresponding 2,6‐difluorophenyl derivative 5e, the enantioselective reduction dropped to 30% ee and 14% conversion.