Cyclic and open-chain trisubstituted olefins were hydroborated with (-)-IpcBH(2) and stereoselectively transmetalated to the corresponding chiral zinc reagents with excellent diastereoselectivity and good enantioselectivity. The palladium(0) catalyzed cross-coupling with alkenyl iodides or acyl chlorides proceeds with high retention of configuration in satisfactory overall yields. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.