Phosphine sulfides were found to be effective as a ligand in the palladium(II)-catalyzed bisalkoxycarbonylation of olefins. Aromatic olefins and vinylsilanes were converted into the corresponding succinates in high yields under mild conditions. Enantioselection was observed when chiral bisphosphine sulfides were used as ligands. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.