In this thesis, the synthetic protocol for a new class of enantiopure, primary-amine tethered N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands is described. The synthesis, coordination chemistry, and applications in catalysis for three ligands from this class with general formula (S,S)/(R,R)-H2N-CHPh-CHPh-NHC (NHC = -NCHCHN(C)R, R = Me, tBu, or Mes) are reported. The imidazolium salt of these ligands can be prepared in high yield and purity from the SN1 reaction between chiral sulfamidates and the corresponding N-substituted imidazoles. The method of coordination of the NHC ligands to metals depends on the acidity of the C-H functional in the imidazolium salts. Silver and copper compounds can be prepared in high yield with the ligand to the metal ratio of 2:1 or 1:1. Ruthenium, iridium, and rhodium complexes can also be prepared via transmetallation from the silver or copper reagents, intramolecular base deprotonation, or C-H oxidative addition. Four ruthenium complexes and two iridium complexes based on these ligands were proven active for ketone hydrogenation, under relatively mild condition (50°C, 25 bar H2(g)). Three half-sandwich ruthenium compounds containing Cp (cyclopentadienyl) or Cp* (1,2,3,4,5-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) are highly active aryl and alkyl hydrogenation catalysts with TOF (turnover frequency) up to 67 s-1, TON (turnover number) up to 104, and ee (enantiomeric excess) up to 86%. An experimental and computational study of the half-sandwich ruthenium systems suggests that the heterolytic splitting of dihydrogen over the metal-amido bond and hydride transfer from the catalyst to the substrate can both be rate-determining. An alcohol-assisted mechanism was also calculated to explain the rate enhancement when the catalysis was conducted in polar, protic solvents such as 2-PrOH. A full experimental and computational study was also performed for a Fe(P-NH-P') system. Similarly, heterolytic splitting and hydride transfer are the two most energy demanding transition states. In addition, the enantiodetermining step (EDS) of this asymmetric ketone hydrogenation catalyst was calculated, and the origins of enantioselectivity were summarized as steric repulsion, the high compressibility of the backbone, and H-bond contributed stabilization.