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.