State-of-the-art electronic structure calculations provide the likelihood of the availability of ScLi.sub.3N.sub.2, TiLi.sub.3N.sub.2, VLi.sub.3N.sub.2, CrLi.sub.3N.sub.2, MnLi.sub.3N.sub.2, CoLi.sub.3N.sub.2, NiLi.sub.3N.sub.2, CuLi.sub.3N.sub.2, and ZnLi.sub.3N.sub.2 as compounds for reaction with hydrogen under suitable conditions. Reaction with hydrogen is likely to form stable hydrides of the family ScLi.sub.3N.sub.2H.sub.n, TiLi.sub.3N.sub.2H.sub.n, VLi.sub.3N.sub.2H.sub.n, CrLi.sub.3N.sub.2H.sub.n, MnLi.sub.3N.sub.2H.sub.n, FeLi.sub.3N.sub.2H.sub.n CoLi.sub.3N.sub.2H.sub.n, NiLi.sub.3N.sub.2H.sub.n, CuLi.sub.3N.sub.2H.sub.n, and ZnLi.sub.3N.sub.2H.sub.n, where n is an integer in the range of 1-4. These materials offer utility for hydrogen storage systems.