Used as a chiral N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursor in asymmetric catalysis. It plays a key role in enantioselective transformations, particularly in transition-metal-catalyzed reactions such as asymmetric hydrogenation, carbon-carbon bond formation, and ring-closing metathesis. The bulky naphthyl groups enhance stereocontrol, making it effective for producing high enantiomeric excess in pharmaceutical intermediates and fine chemicals. Commonly employed in palladium and ruthenium complexes for homogeneous catalysis.