A set of Co(III) and Ru(II) compounds are synthesized bearing pyridyl-functionalized and alkenyl-tethered N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand (L1). [CoIII(L1)3](PF6)3 (1) was synthesized by the reaction of [L1H]PF6, Co(OAc)2.4H2O, K2CO3 in tetrahydrofuran (THF) under refluxing condition. [RuIIL1(η6-p-cymene)Cl]PF6 (2) was synthesized via transmetallation method. For both compounds, the NHC ligand chelates the metal through carbene carbon and pyridyl nitrogen whereas the butenyl unit remains free. Compound 2 hydrogenates organic nitriles efficiently providing selectively secondary amines. In the presence of external amines, unsymmetrical secondary amines are also obtained.