There is disclosed an optically active salicylideneaminoalcohol compound of formula (1): ##STR1##

wherein R₁ represents an alkyl group or the like, R₂ represents

• an aryl group and the like, and
• when X₁ represents a nitro, X₂ is a hydrogen atom,
• when X₁ represents a chlorine atom, X₂ is a chlorine atom, and
• when X₁ is a hydrogen atom, X₂ is a fluorine atom; and
• the carbon atom denoted by "*" is an asymmetric carbon atom having either an S or R configuration, and a chiral copper complex produced from the optically active salicylidenaminoalcohol compound and a copper compound.