Methods for the production of hydrogen comprise heating a hydrogen-bearing feed material capable of undergoing a hydrogenation reaction in the presence of a hydrogen donor material, a catalyst promoting catalytic transfer hydrogenation, and a base at a temperature of from about 150.degree. C. to about 450.degree. C. for a time sufficient to hydrogenate the feed material and to dehydrogenate the hydrogenated feed material to produce hydrogen and carbon, and collecting the resulting hydrogen.