Preformed cationic Rh complexes of the title ligands are effective for the asymmetric hydroboration/oxidation of vinylarenes at ambient temperature. These vinylarenes may carry E- or Z-beta substituents but not a substituents. Enantiomer excesses of up to 97% can be obtained in the most favourable cases. The enantioselectivity is moderately sensitive to the structure of the ligand: the difurylphosphino ligand gave superior results for electron-poor styrenes and the diphenylphosphino ligand the best results for electron-rich reactants. Mechanistic aspects are discussed.