Synthesis and reactivities at cubane-type sulfido clusters containing noble metals

Cubane-type sulfido clusters containing noble metals are newcomers compared with the corresponding clusters of the first transition series metals and molybdenum, which have been extensively studied in relation to metalloenzym es and industrial hydrodesulfurization catalysts. This Account reviews the recent progress in studies on the synthesis and reactivities of these noble metal cubane-type clusters. One of the goals in this new area lies in deve lopment of the unique catalysis of the noble metals embedded in the robust and redox-active cubans-type cores. Rational synthetic approaches indispens able to the preparation of such effective cluster catalysts are discussed t o a significant extent.