The catalytic performance of ruthenium phosphine complexes using (1S, 2S)-DPENDS [(1S, 2S)-1, 2-diphenyl-1, 2-ethylene diamine sulfonate disodium] as a chiral modifier in the asymmetric hydrogenation of aromatic ketones was examined in a series of hydrophilic ionic liquids [RMIM]+[p-CH3 C6 H4 SO3] (R=ethyl, butyl, octyl, dodecyl). The synergistic effect between (1S, 2S)-DPENDS and KOH significantly accelerated the reaction and enhanced the enantioselectivity. An ee value of 84.8% was obtained in the asymmetric hydrogenation of acetophenone under the optimized conditions. The products were conveniently separated with cyclohexane extraction, and both the ruthenium catalyst and (1S, 2S)-DPENDS were kept in the ionic liquid and could be reused.