Chiral C-2-symmetric DMEU derivatives were designed and synthesized as chiral ligands for lithium. The reaction of the lithium enolate (2) of 1-tetralone (1) with methyl iodide in toluene in the presence of a DMEU derivative (11) and hexamethyldisilazane gave (S)-2-methyl-1-tetralone ((S)-3) in up to 92% ee. (C) 1997, Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.