The present invention relates to novel chiral phosphorus compounds which can be readily prepared from quinoline derivatives as inexpensive starting compounds and have the general formula I wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 are chiral or achiral organic residues which are derived from substituted or unsubstituted straight or branched chain or cyclic aliphatic or aromatic groups and which, in the case of the pairs R1/R2 and R4/R5, may be interconnected. Further, the invention relates to the use of chiral phosphorus compounds of general formula I as catalysts or catalyst components in processes for the preparation of optically active products.