The rotating cryostat technique was used to trap small naked copper clusters, Cu-n, n=3-7, and the copper carbonyls Cu-n(CO)(m), n=1-2, m=1-6 in adamantane at 77 K. These clusters and carbonyls were then released from the adamantane for incorporation into inert supports (Al2O3 and SiO2) at low temperatures (110 K) by slowly dissolving the host adamantane matrix into an isopentane containing a slurry of the support. Highly active catalysts for CO oxidation and CO/H-2 conversion to alkanes, alkenes and alcohols and with virtually unit dispersion were produced in this way. Efficient catalytic materials were also produced by directly implanting copper atoms into previously evaporated and condensed sodium chloride layers. In this system the copper was embedded in nanocrystals of the halide of <8 nm diameter.