A series of bidentate nitrogen ligands (3–8), and their [Rh (I) (NBD) (N-N)] ClO4 complexes 11–14 (NBD-norbornadiene, N-N-dinitrogen ligand) were prepared. Conformational properties and stability of 4 and its catalytic complex 12 were reported. Catalytic activity of complexes 11 and 12 in hydrogenation of cyclohexane is compared with 22, a complex that contains 2,2′-bipyridyl as the “standard” ligand