It has been shown that the coordination of a tertiary phosphine to the π-allyl imine-amide complex of nickel(II) affects the nickel oxidation state and leads to the irreversible elimination of the allyl group in the form of a cyclodimerization product. The coordination of PMe ₃ to allyl imine-amide complex 1 brings about the formation of phosphine allyl imine-amide complex of nickel(II) 3. In solution it spontaneously disproportionates giving nickel(I) complex 4 and cyclohexene. The isolated nickel complexes are X-ray amorphous, so they have been thoroughly studied with EPR and 2D-NMR spectroscopy.