Palladium complexes prepared in situ from [Pd(eta(3)-C3H5)Cl](2) and a number of chiral ligands with pyridine sp(2)-nitrogen donators were assessed as chiral catalysts for the allylic alkylation of 1,3-diphenylprop-2-enyl acetate with dimethyl malonate. Enantioselectivity of up to 64% was obtained. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.