The two title clusters were formed during iridium-catalyzed glycerol dehydrogenation and display a remarkably high NHC content. They were crystallized in either agarose or polyethylene oxide gel matrices, while more conventional crystallization techniques proved unsuccessful. Cluster [Ir4(IMe)8H9]3+, with a net charge of +3, was only crystallizable with a polyoxometalate Keggin trianion. The crystal packing of this intercluster compound is discussed. Computational studies position the iridium hydrides and provide insights into the bonding.
![Graphical abstract: Gel-assisted crystallization of [Ir4(IMe)7(CO)H10]2+ and [Ir4(IMe)8H9]3+ clusters derived from catalytic glycerol dehydrogenation](http://hg.y866.cn/compound/lib/scimg/usr/1/C5DT03302K.jpg)