Carbohydrates are increasingly used as starting materials for the synthesis of enantiopure ligands. They contain a considerable number of stereocenters, and compounds with all possible configurational combinations are readily available. This tutorial review focuses on ligands obtained by the introduction of phosphorus functionalities (mainly phosphinite, phosphite or phosphine) into a carbohydrate framework. They are classified according to their structural features. In this review, ligands are organised as C1 ligands with a pyranoside or furanoside structure, and C2 ligands. Particular attention is paid to water soluble ligands prepared from carbohydrates. General methods for the preparation of the ligands are presented in order to show how the backbones can be obtained from simple carbohydrates. The catalytic results obtained in commonly studied processes are presented in tables in order to facilitate the comparison between the ligands. The advantages and limitations of the use of ligands based on carbohydrates are discussed.