Cu(OH) supported on Fe(OH) as a synergistic and highly efficient system for the dehydrogenation of ammonia-borane.

Herein, we first describe the physical mixture of Cu(OH)/Fe(OH) as a composite catalyst precursor for the dehydrogenation of ammonia borane (AB) in methanol. During the initial period of catalytic reaction, Cu nanoparticles were formed in-situ. The catalytic activity of Cu nanoparticles can be significantly enhanced with the assistance of Fe species and OH. A maximum turnover frequency (TOF) of 50.3 mol mol min (135.6 mol mol min) was achieved at ambient temperature, which is superior to those of previously reported Fe or Cu based systems.