Asymmetric cyclization using Rh-complexes has been applied to the synthesis of 4,9-dimethylspiro[4.4]nonane-2,7-diones. The spiro[4.4]nonane skeleton bearing three consecutive chiral carbons could be stepwisely constructed from an identical starting material by the combination of a cationic Rh[(S)BINAP]ClO4 and a neutral RhCl(PPh3)(3). The relationship between the stereochemistry of the spirodiketones and the Rh-complex was also discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.