A number of chiral 1,10-phenanthrolines (phens) have been assessed in asymmetric Cu(I)-catalyzed allylic oxidation of cyclohexene. Very effective copper-phen catalysts are obtained only when these ligands bear at least a substituent close to the reactive site of the catalyst. Enantioselectivity up to 36% was obtained. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.