A readily accessible ruthenium catalyst for the solvolytic dehydrogenation of amine-borane adducts.

The use of the readily available complex [Ru(p-Cym)(bipy)Cl]Cl as an efficient and robust precatalyst for homogeneously catalysed solvolysis of amine-borane adducts to liberate the hydrogen content of the borane almost quantitatively is being presented. The reactions can be carried out in tap water, and in aqueous mixtures with non-deoxygenated solvents. The system is also efficient for the dehydrocoupling of dimethylamine-borane under solvent-free conditions.