Coordination of aminoborane, NH2BH2, dictates selectivity and extent of H-2 release in metal-catalysed ammonia borane dehydrogenation

In situ B-11 NMR monitoring, computational modeling, and external trapping studies show that selectivity and extent of H-2 release in metal-catalysed dehydrogenation of ammonia borane, NH3BH3, are determined by coordination of reactive aminoborane, NH2BH2, to the metal center.