New homochiral P,N-bidentate phosphite-type ligands containing sp(2)-nitrogen were synthesised and their complexation with Rh(I) and Pd(II) atoms was investigated. The X-ray crystal structure of one of the chelate chlorocarbonyl rhodium complexes was obtained. E.e.s of up to 85% were attained in the Pd-catalysed allylic substitution reaction using the new P,N-ligands. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.