Abstract A class of novel chiral SO–S-type bidentate ligands based on the tert-butylsulfinyl moiety as the sole chiral source were designed and synthesized through a simple and efficient pathway. These ligands are effective catalyst precursors for the palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylation of 1, 3-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate and moderate to good stereoselectivities (up to 84% ee) were obtained.