By introducing electron-withdrawing fluorine atoms to a chiral 1,1'-binaphthyl ligand (R)-1, a new catalyst (S)-5d has been obtained which shows improved catalytic properties for the asymmetric diphenylzinc addition to aldehydes. This new ligand allows the synthesis of chiral diarylcarbinols with high enantioselectivity in shorter reaction time under simple reaction conditions. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.