We have applied the enantioselective [3+2] cyclisations between allenoates and enones, under phosphine catalysis, to the asymmetric synthesis of sulfides and sulfoxides displaying unprecedented spirocyclic molecular scaffolds and multiple stereocentres. Notably, good yields and e.e's were obtained by using (S,S)-FerroPHANE as the chiral catalyst. Then, we established a highly diastereoselective oxidation procedure which converts the enantiomerically enriched spirocyclic sulfides into the corresponding sulfoxides. On the other hand, we have developed new phosphine promoted reactions for the synthesis of nitrogen heterocycles. From the known modes of action of phosphine nucleophiles, we have designed new combinations of properly functionalized substrates that have been processed in the presence of phosphorus catalysts. The [3+2] annulation reaction between imines and acyclic conjugated dienes, properly activated by electron withdrawing groups on both ends, affords a new efficient and diastereoselective approach to functionalized 3-pyrrolines, under phosphine catalysis. We have studied the scope and limitations of this strategy by considering a whole range of differently substituted dienes and imines. As an extension, we have also considered analogous cyclizations between imines and cyclic conjugated dienes in which one of the double bonds is embedded in a cyclic moiety which afforded the functionalized hexahydroisoindol-4-one derivatives. Coumarin derived dienes reacted however with stoichiometric amounts of phosphine and water to give an unprecedented domino process, i.e. a formal aza-Baylis Hillman-reduction sequence. The process proved to be highly chemoselective and allowed an excellent stereochemical control of the relative configurations of two, newly created, contiguous carbon centres.These studies have demonstrated that the phosphine catalysis affords simple and efficient methodologies for the synthesis of structurally diverse and highly functionalized heterocycles, starting from easily available starting materials.