Bis-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) amino-pincer ligands were successfully applied for the first time in the catalytic hydrogenation of esters. We have isolated and characterized a well-defined catalyst precursor as a dimeric [Ru-2(L)(2)Cl-3]PF6 complex and studied its reactivity and catalytic performance. Remarkable initial activities up to 283 000 h(-1) were achieved in the hydrogenation of ethyl hexanoate at only 12.5 ppm Ru loading. A wide range of aliphatic and aromatic esters can be converted with this catalyst to corresponding alcohols in near quantitative yields. The described synthetic protocol makes use of air-stable reagents available in multigram quantities, rendering the bis-NHC ligands an attractive alternative to the conventional phosphine-based systems.