The synthesis of stable 1,3-bis(
N,
N-dialkylamino)imidazolin-2-ylidenes was accomplished from readily available chiral bis-hydrazones after reduction or addition of PhMgCl, cyclization to imidazolinium salts, and treatment with KN(SiMe
3)
2. This strategy allows the obtention of free imidazolin-2-ylidenes and their Rh(COD)Cl complexes in enantiomerically pure form. The
![](/images/gifchars/sigma.gif)
-donor ability of dialkylamino-substituted diaminocarbenes was found to be slightly higher than that of alkyl(aryl) analogues.