Preparation of Ammonia Borane in High Yield and Purity, Methanolysis, and Regeneration

Ammonia borane (AB) is emerging as a promising solid hydrogen carrier, particularly for power generation in
portable devices that employ proton-exchange membrane fuel cells. A preparative-scale synthesis of AB from
sodium borohydride and ammonium salts in high yields (≥95%) and very high purity (≥98%) has been described.
The first systematic study of a transitional metal-catalyzed alcoholysis of AB, comparison of the methanolysis to
the hydrolysis of AB, and regeneration of AB from ammonium tetramethoxyborate also has been described.