Allylic substitution reactions catalyzed by Pd- or Pt-Yliphos complexes are examined. The reaction of 1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate with benzylamine proceeded in the presence of Pd(dba)(2)-Yliphos to give N-benzyl-1,3-diphenyl-2-propenylamine in high yields with high enantioselectivities (up to 90% ee). Furthermore, the allylic alkylation of 1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate with dimethyl malonate catalyzed by Pd-Yliphos complex resulted in high enantioselectivity (95% ee) in the presence of LiH as base. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.