Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of 1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate IS with a dimethyl malonate-BSA-LiOAc system has been successfully carried out in the presence of new chiral aminophosphine ligands 1-5 in good yields with good enantioselectivities (up to 85% e.e.). (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.