Will We Soon Be Fueling our Automobiles with Ammonia–Borane?

The B all and N all? Ammonia–borane (AB, H3NBH3) contains 19.6 weight % H, and is one of the materials currently being examined as a possible H2 source for use in fuel cells to power automobiles. Challenges for this technology are noted, and recent advances, especially in the development of both transition-metal and acid catalysts which promote H2 release from AB under mild conditions, are highlighted.