The complex Cp*Ir[OC(Ph)=NNCOPh] was obtained from the reactions of Cp*IrNBu(t) or [Cp*Ir(mu-OH)(3)IrCp*]OH with 1,2-dibenzoyl hydrazine. The structure of the product was determined spectroscopically and by a single crystal X-ray diffraction study. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd