Hydrido-coinage-metal clusters: Rational design, synthetic protocols and structural characteristics

Ligated hydrido-coinage-metal clusters MxHyLz (M = Cu/Ag/Au, L = ligand; where x, y, and z are positive integers) often exhibit interesting catalytic properties, and serve as ideal models to investigate the fundamental concepts and particle growth processes, as well as the catalytic process and reaction mechanism at the atomic level. This field is emerging rapidly. For a better understanding of structure-property correlations, the isolation and characterization of these atomically precise hydrido-coinage-metal nanoclusters (NCs) are essential. This Review will summarize the recent advancements in this particular research area, including: (1) synthesis and characterization of copper hydride clusters; (2) silver hydrido clusters from small nuclearity to bulk polyhydrido clusters; and (3) gold clusters associated with hydrogen/hydride and the alloy coinage metal hydride clusters. The Review is concluded by briefly outlining some potential aspects in this flourishing and vibrant field. We hope that this Account will provide a perspective on the various strategies in the design and synthesis of hydrido-coinage-metal clusters as well as a basic understanding of their determined structures, thereby helping in building materials base for nanoscience and nanotechnology.