New chiral C-1-symmetric dipyridylmethane ligands have been prepared from naturally occurring monoterpenes according to a method based on two consecutive constructions of the pyridine rings. These ligands have been assessed in the enantioselective palladium catalyzed allylic alkylation of 1,3-diphenylprop-2-enyl acetate with dimethylmalonate. Enantioselectivity up to 68% ee has been obtained. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.