Coordination of aminoborane, NH2BH2, dictates selectivity and extent of H2 release in metal-catalysed ammonia borane dehydrogenation

In situ(11)B NMR monitoring, computational modeling, and external trapping studies show that selectivity and extent of H(2) release in metal-catalysed dehydrogenation of ammonia borane, NH(3)BH(3), are determined by coordination of reactive aminoborane, NH(2)BH(2), to the metal center.