The synthesis of fac-tris(trimethylphosphine)iridiumtrichloride is reported and the crystal structure of five different solvates of this compound are analyzed. Compared with the idealized structure calculated with DFT methods, bond angles and distances differ considerably for all of the solvates examined. The utility of fac-tris(trimethylphosphine)iridiumtrichloride for the synthesis of organometallic compounds of iridium(III) is also demonstrated.