Two novel C-2-symmetric chiral diamines containing alpha-phenylethyl and alpha-(1-naphthyl)ethyl chiral subunits were prepared with quantitative yields. Enantiomeric recognition properties of these simple structured diamine ligands towards D- and L-amino acid esters and D- and L-mandelic acid were examined by the H-1 NMR titration method. These ligands exhibited strong complexation (with K-f up to 2481 M-1) and good enantioselectivity (up to K-L/K-D = 4.08) towards the mandelic acid enantiomers. The results show that simple structured and easily accessible acyclic C-2-symmetrical compounds can also be used for enantiomeric recognition of racemic amino acids and mandelic acid in addition to complex molecules such as crown ethers and other cyclic molecules.