Transition metal complexes IX. Nickel complexes with a chiral azaphosphole ligand

The reaction of (−)-(R)-myrtenal and (+)-(R)-phenylethylamine gave a Schiff base 1 which was reacted with MePBr₂ in the presence of a base to give under dehydrohalogenation of an intermediate McCormack product a salt 2. Treatment of 2 with sodium led to the formation of the azaphosphole 4. η³-C₃H₅NiCl and 4 gave a 1:1 adduct 5 and nickel(0) gave a 1:4 complex 6. Compounds 4–6 were characterized by NMR spectroscopy as well as by single crystal X-ray structure determination.