A Co (0) catalyst is synthesized by the reduction of a metal-organic framework (MOF) precursor Co(2)(bdc)(2)(dabco) (bdc = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate; dabco = 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2] octane). The amorphous catalyst exhibits highly efficient activity in the hydrolysis of ammonia borane (AB). The dehydrogenation of a 0.32 M aqueous AB solution completes in 1.4 min under room temperature. The porous structure in the MOF is proposed to play a key role. The catalytic effective Co (0) sites are stabilized by the organic molecules, which used to coordinate to Co (II) in the MOP precursor. This work implies that MOFs, with their large surface area and ample pore structures, may serve as ideal precursors for highly efficient heterogeneous catalysts. Copyright (C) 2011, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.