The effects of various catalysts on the H 2 release characteristics of LiAlH 4 were studied. It was established that the catalytic activity defined by the H 2 desorption capacity by a mechanochemical reaction decreased in the series TiCl 3 > ZrCl 4 > VCl 3 > NiCl 2 > ZnCl 2 . Transition metal trialuminides Al 3 X (X = Ti, Zr, V, Ni) were prepared by the mechanochemical reaction of LiAlH 4 and the metal chlorides, while the reaction of LiAlH 4 and ZnCl 2 yields Zn. The high catalytic activity was attributed to the lower percentage d-character and the electronegativity of those transition metals. The catalytic activity of Ni was also improved with decreasing the Ni particle size. Those catalysts were classified to two groups (1: TiCl 3 , ZrCl 4 ; 2: VCl 3 , NiCl 2 , Ni, nano-Ni) from the viewpoint of the H 2 desorption mechanism.