The asymmetricsynthesis of a novel, C2-symmetric, tetradentate 1,10-phenanthroline is described; it is based on the stereoselective preparation of two functionalized pyridine subunits, which were subsequently joined through two consecutive carbon–carbon bond-forming reactions to assemble the heteroaromatic system. Some initial applications of this new chiral ligand in metal-catalyzed, enantioselective