Abstract: A ligand represented by the formula (1): R1R2N-Q1-X-Q2-NR3R4??(1) wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are each the same or different and represent a group represented by the formula (2): wherein Q3 is an optionally substituted alkylene group, an optionally substituted cycloalkylene group, an optionally substituted arylene group, or an optionally substituted divalent heterocyclic group, R5 is an optionally substituted alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group or an optionally substituted heterocyclic group and R6 is a substituent which may coordinate or bind to a metal atom, or R5 and R6, taken together, may form a ring, Q1 and Q2 are each the same or different and represent an optionally substituted alkylene group or a single bond, and X is a divalent spacer.

Abstract: A third-order nonlinear optical material comprising a complex compound represented by the general formula:A.sub.k B.sub.l (LIG.sub.a).sub.i (LIG.sub.b).sub.j (1)wherein A represents one metallic element selected from the group consisting of Cr, Mo and W; B represents one metal selected from the group consisting of Ni, Pd and Pt; each of LIG.sub.a and LIG.sub.b represents one ligand selected from the group consisting of monodentate and higher ligands; k is an integer of 0 or 1 to 4; l is an integer of 0 or 1 to 4; k+l is 2 or 4; i is an integer of 0 to 18; j is an integer of 0 to 18; and i+j is an integer of 1 to 18; provided that i and i+j are determined depending on the type and number of metals and the types of LIG.sub.a and LIG.sub.b.

Abstract: Disclosed is a ruthenium-phosphine complex represented by formula (I):?{RuX(L)}.sub.2 (.mu.-X).sub.3 !.sup.- ?R.sub.2 NH.sub.2 !.sup.+(I)wherein R is hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted benzyl group; X is halogen; and L is an optically active or inactive tertiary phosphine. A process for preparing the complex (I) is also disclosed, which comprises (A) reacting a ruthenium complex represented by formula: ?RuX(arene)(L)!X (wherein arene is a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group) and an ammonium salt represented by formula (III): R.sub.2 NH.HX, or (B) reacting a ruthenium complex represented by formula: ?RuX.sub.2 (arene)!.sub.2, a tertiary phosphine represented by L, and an ammonium salt (III). The complex (I) useful as a catalyst for general syntheses or asymmetric syntheses can be obtained easily in good yield.

Abstract: An iridium-optically active phosphine complex represented by formula (I):[H.sub.2 Ir(L.sup.1)(L.sup.2)]Y (I)wherein L.sup.1 represents an optically active phosphine compound represented by formula (II): ##STR1## wherein Ar represents a phenyl group or a p- and/or m-lower alkyl-substituted phenyl group, or formula (III): ##STR2## L.sup.2 represents a tertiary phosphine compound represented by formula (IV): ##STR3## wherein Z represents a lower alkoxy group or a di-lower alkylamino group; and A represents an integer of from 1 to 3; Y represents BF.sub.4, PF.sub.6, ClO.sub.4, or BPh.sub.4, wherein Ph represents a phenyl group,and a process for producing an optically active alcohol using the above complex as an enantioselective catalyst are disclosed. The complex exhibits excellent catalytic activity to give high enantioselective yields in enantioselective synthesis, particularly enantioselective hydrogenation.

Abstract: An iridium-optically active phosphine complex represented by formula (I):[H.sub.2 Ir(L.sup.1)(L.sup.2)]Y (I)wherein L.sup.1 represents an optically active phosphine compound represented by formula (II): ##STR1## wherein Ar represents a phenyl group or a p- and/or m-lower alkyl-substituted phenyl group, or formula (III): ##STR2## L.sup.2 represents a tertiary phosphine compound represented by formula (IV): ##STR3## wherein Z represents a lower alkoxy group or a di-lower alkylamino group; and A represents an integer of from 1 to 3; Y represents BF.sub.4, PF.sub.6, ClO.sub.4, or BPh.sub.4, wherein Ph represents a phenyl group, and a process for producing an optically active alcohol using the above complex as an enantioselective catalyst are disclosed. The complex exhibits excellent catalytic activity to give high enantioselective yields in enantioselective synthesis, particularly enantioselective hydrogenation.

Abstract: A ruthenium-phosphine complex represented by formula (I)[RuX.sub.l (L).sub.m (R-BINAP)]Y.sub.n (I)wherein R-BINAP represents a tertiary phosphine represented by formula (II): ##STR1## wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; X represents a halogen atom; L represents substituted or unsubstituted benzene or acetonitrile; Y represents a halogen atom, CLO.sub.4, PF.sub.6, BPh.sub.4 (wherein Ph represents a phenyl group) or BF.sub.4 ; when L is substituted or unsubstituted benzene, l represents 1, m represents 1, and n represents 1; and whe L is acetonitrile, when l is 1, then m represents 2, and n represents 1, and when l is 0, the m represents 4, and n represent 2. The complex exhibits excellent catalytic activity in asymmetric reactions to provide a product of high optical purity. The complex can be produced at low cost.