[en] The effects of various catalysts on the H₂ release characteristics of LiAlH₄ were studied. It was established that the catalytic activity defined by the H₂ desorption capacity by a mechanochemical reaction decreased in the series TiCl₃ > ZrCl₄ > VCl₃ > NiCl₂ > ZnCl₂. Transition metal trialuminides Al₃X (X = Ti, Zr, V, Ni) were prepared by the mechanochemical reaction of LiAlH₄ and the metal chlorides, while the reaction of LiAlH₄ and ZnCl₂ 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: TiCl₃, ZrCl₄; 2: VCl₃, NiCl₂, Ni, nano-Ni) from the viewpoint of the H₂ desorption mechanism