First chiral bidentate bis-carbene complex of Pd(II) prepared from a bis-im
idazolium salt derived from (S) 2,2'-bromomethyl-1,1'-binaphthyl exists in
both cis- and trans-square planar geometry. These and the corresponding tra
ns-Ni(II) complexes are remarkably resistant to high temperature, air, wate
r, and silica gel chromatography. The Pd complexes catalyze Heck reactions.