Methods for the preparation of saturated imidazolinium salts and related compounds that comprises reaction of formamidines with compounds such as dihaloethane and an optional base are disclosed. Alternatively, the imidazolinium salts and related compounds can be prepared in a one-step process without purification of the formamidine reactant. These methods make it possible to obtain numerous imidazolinium salts and related compounds under solvent-free reaction conditions and in excellent yields.