There is no reaction between IrCl(CO)(PPh3)2 and AuCl(PPh3) in benzene solution under oxygen-free nitrogen. The physical properties and reactions ascribed to the supposed iridium–gold compound, Cl2(CO)(PPh3)2Ir·Au(PPh3), are instead to be attributed to the oxygen complex, Ir(O2)Cl(CO)(PPh3)2.