Reductions of Ni(II) and Co(II) complexes with the Jacobsen ligand (a chiral, substituted salen) in the absence and in the presence of allyl 2-bromophenyl ethers in N,N'-dimethylformamide were investigated with the aid of cyclic voltammetry and constant-current and controlled-potential electrolyses. The complexes were effective catalysts for the reduction of these organic substrates and cyclic compounds were obtained in good yields under appropriate experimental conditions. Modest asymmetric induction was observed. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.