Several NPN-type ligands bearing two chiral pyrrolidinyl groups derived from N-phenyl-(S)- prolinol were prepared by two synthetic methods. Their palladium-complex-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of malonates with 1, 3-diphenyl 2-propenyl acetate delivered the products with good to high enantioselectivities (84–97% ee), including an optically active fluorine-containing compound.
