Diaminomethylenemalononitrile organocatalysts promote the asymmetric chlorination of simple cyclic β-keto esters such as methyl, ethyl, and benzyl esters of 1-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1 H -indene-2-carboxylic acid. This affords the corresponding chiral α-chlorinated carbonyl products in excellent yields with high enantioselectivities.