The synthesis of non-proteinogenic chiral α-amino acids is of considerable interest.1,2 Previously, we introduced 1, a chiral NiII complex of Schiff's base of glycine and (S)-o-[N-(N'- benzylprolyl)amino]benzophenone (BPB), as a useful substrate for the asymmetric synthesis of α-amino acids by different reac- tions of C–C bond formation.3,4 This approach has significant advantages including the simplicity of preparation of complex 1,5 a wide range of ...