A new class of C2-symmetric pyrrolidine derivatives bearing arylethynyl groups at the 2,5-positions has been synthesized in enantiomericallypure form from 1,7-octadiyne-3,6-diol in five steps. Some notable features of the synthesis are: (i) the formation of a separable diastereomeric mixture of pyrrolidine carbamates using a newly prepared chiral chloroformate; and (ii) the development of a new method