Phosphide [PHR1]Li (R-1 = cyclohexyl, phenyl) addition to the fulvenes (C5H4)CMe2 (1) and (C5H4)CHCMe3 (2) yields the corresponding phosphinoalkyl-substituted cyclopentadienides. Subsequent deprotonation at phosphorus with LDA followed by transmetalation of the resulting [(C5H4)(CRRPR1)-R-2-P-3]Li-2 dianion equivalents to Cl2Ti(NMe2)(2) or Cl2Zr(NEt2)(2)(THF)(2) yields the corresponding ["CpCPR1"MX2] "constrained-geometry" systems (eight examples, 11-18). These systems contain a chiral phosphorus center that is characterized by a low inversion barrier (DeltaG(inv)(+) ranging from ca. 7.5 to 10.0 kcal mol(-1)). The structural and some spectroscopic features of the (CpCPR)Ti and Zr complexes were investigated by DFT calculations. Treatment with a large excess of methylalumoxane gave ethene/1-octene copolymerization catalysts. The [(C5H4)CMe2PR1]ZrX2 systems gave the most active catalysts in this series.