A number of chiral C-1-symmetric 2,2'-bypyridines were prepared and assessed in the enantioselective palladium catalyzed allylic substitution of 1,3-diphenylprop-2-enyl acetate with dimethylmalonate. Enantioselectivity up to. 89% was obtained. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.