Abstract Two new C 2 chiral bidentate phosphorous ligands have been prepared in enantiomerically pure form. The two phosphorous centers bear electron-withdrawing groups ((CF 3) 2 CH [BOND] O, C 6 F 5) and are linked by a trans-cyclopentane-1, 2-diol-derived bridge. Photolysis of [Cr (η 6-C 6 H 6)(CO) 3] in the presence of these two new ligands and of two previously reported bidentate phosphites, and fluorophosphinites (L) afforded [Cr (η ...