The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of C.sub.2-symmetric 1,4-diols of the formula IVA or IVB, wherein ring A, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 have the meanings given in the specification, that makes use of the metallation of pure enantiomers of .alpha.-(aryl or heteroaryl)-.alpha.-substituted alkanol compounds or the use of said alkanol compounds in the preparation of said mmetric 1,4-diols; novel C.sub.2-symmetric 1,4-diols in enantiomerically pure form; and methods of use or their use in the synthesis of chiral ligands which find use to produce catalysts for a variety of asymmetric transformations such as hydrogenations. ##STR00001##