A chiral ligand represented by the formula and its enantiomer: wherein A, X, Y and Z are as defined in the specification is provided. Also provided is a process of making the chiral ligands and catalysts prepared from these ligands and a transition metal, a salt thereof or a complex thereof. In addition, a method of preparing an asymmetric compound by a transition metal catalyzed asymmetric reaction, such as, hydrogenation, hydride transfer reaction, hydrosilylation, hydroboration, hydrovinylation, hydroformylation, hydrocarboxylation, allylic alkylation, epoxidation, cyclopropanation, Diels-Alder reaction, Aldol reaction, ene reaction, Heck reaction and Michael addition is provided.