Theoretical Studies on Dehydrogenation Reactions in Mg2(BH4)2(NH2)2 Compounds

Borohydrides have been recently hightlighted as prospective new materials due to their high gravimetric capacities for hydrogen storage. It is, therefore, important to under-stand the underlying dehydrogenation mechanisms for further development of these ma-terials. We present a systematic theoretical investigation on the dehydrogenation mecha-nisms of theMg₂(BH₄)₂(NH₂)₂ compounds. We found that dehydrogenation takes place most likely via the intermolecular process, which is favorable both kinetically and thermo-dynamically in comparison with that of the intramolecular process. The dehydrogenation of Mg₂(BH₄)₂(NH₂)₂ initially takes place via the direct combination of the hydridic H in BH₄^- and the protic H in NH₂^-, followed by the formation of Mg-H and subsequent ionic recombination of Mg-H^δ- …H^δ+N.