Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 January 2011
Three different classes of boron and nitrogen containing light metal complex hydrides have been investigated, resulting from the reactions of LiNH2 with LiBH4, NaNH2 with NaBH4 and MHx (where M = Li, Na and Ca) with NH3BH3. A rich variety of new phases has been identified, which exhibit modified decomposition pathways and onset temperatures of hydrogen desorption as low as 40°C. In each case the composition of phases formed has been examined in detail and the products of thermal decomposition—solid and gaseous—have been determined.