Gel-assisted crystallization of [Ir4(IMe)7(CO)H10](2+) and [Ir4(IMe)8H9](3+) clusters derived from catalytic glycerol dehydrogenation.

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.