Lead analogues of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHPbs) are the least understood members of this increasingly important class of compounds. Here we report the design, preparation, isolation, structure, volatility, and decomposition pathways of a novel aliphatic NHPb: rac-N-2,N-3-di-tert-butylbutane-2,3-diamido lead(II) (1Pb). The large steric bulk of the tert-butylamido moieties and rac-butane backbone successfully hinder redox decomposition pathways observed for diamidoethylene and -ethane backbone analogues, pushing the onset of thermal decomposition from below 0 degrees C to above 150 degrees C. With an exceptionally high vapor pressure of 1 Torr at 94 +/- 2 degrees C and excellent thermal stability among Pb(II) complexes, 1Pb is a promising precursor for the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and atomic layer deposition (ALD) of functional lead-containing materials.