The catalytic chemistry of NBBM was examined in the presence of various transition metal-based catalysts and catalyst precursors. Fe(CO)(5), Mo(CO)(6), Fe2O3, and MoS2 all showed significant activity for the disappearance of NBBM above the thermal baseline at 400 degrees C; Mn-2(CO)(10) was considerably less active. The main reactions mere "bond A" scission and naphthyl hydrogenation. This series of materials had the interesting feature that-as the overall activity for bond A scission increased, the overall activity for naphthyl hydrogenation decreased.