Stable, crystalline iridium-complexed phosphinidenes, Cp*(L)IrdPR, are readily synthesized by (a) the reaction of Cp*(L)IrCl 2 (2, L) PPh 3) with LiPHMes* and (b) dehydrohalogenation of Cp*(PH 2 R)IrCl 2 (5, R) Mes*, Is, Mes) with in situ capturing of transient Cp*Irt PR (4) with phosphines, phosphites, arsines, isocyanides, and carbon monoxide (L). Cp*Irt PR eluded direct detection. The X-ray crystal structures are reported for Cp*(PPh 3)IrdPMes* (3) and Cp*(CO)IrdPMes* (15). The more congested 3 has an E configuration for its IrdP bond, whereas 15 is obtained in its Z form. The 31 P NMR chemical shifts and 2 J PP coupling constants are diagnostic for the E and Z forms. More shielded phosphinidene resonances and larger coupling constants are typical for the E isomers. These iridium-complexed phosphinidenes react with gem-diiodides to form phosphaalkenes, but not with carbonyl groups.