Abstract: The in-situ preparation of the novel chiral catalyst precursor, which are composed of (S)-2,2',6,6'-tetramethoxy- 4,4'-bis(diphenylphosphine)-3,3'-bipyridine ((S)-P-PHOS) and palladium 2,4-pentanedionate, have been described. These complexes were found to be effective in the asymmetric triple-carbonylation of styrene, reaching up to [α]_D²⁰ = +27^o (c, 0.28, CH₂Cl₂) for dimethyl 2-oxo-3-phenyl-glutarate using benzoquinone as oxidant, p-toluenesulfonic acid as co-catalyst, and methanol as solvent.

Key words: styrene, asymmetric triple-carbonylation, chiral, dimethyl 2-oxo-3-phenyl-glutarate, palladium 2,4-pentanedionate, dipyridlphosphines