The preparation of cationic palladium (eta(3)-C3H5) complexes 6 and 7, possessing an enantiopure trans-2,5-dialkylpyrrolidinyl unit, is described. These complexes were applied to the enantioselective alkylation of the test substrate, 1,3-diphenylpropenyl acetate 8, with dimethyl malonate in good to high conversions with enantioselectivities of up to 90% ee for the 2,5-diethylpyrrolidinyl substituted complex 7. Attempts to optimise reaction conditions included variation of solvent and temperature and the source of the malonate nucleophile. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.