The reaction of $C_{60}$ with $Ir_4(CO)_{10}(PPh_3)_2$ and $Ir_4(CO)_9(PPh_3)_3$ in refluxing chlorobenzene $Ir_4(CO)_7(Ph_2PPhPPh)(μ_3-η^2:η^2:η^2-C_{60})$ (1) and produces $Ir_4(CO)_6(Ph_2PPhPPhPPh_2)(μ_3-η^2:η^2:η^2-C_{60})$ (2) respectively. Compound 1 and 2 have been isolated as crystalline solids and characterized by spectroscopic (IR, mass, $^1H$, $^{31}P$, and $^{13}C$ NMR). In both compounds, the $C_{60}$ ligands is coordinated to an $Ir_3$ triangle of $Ir_4$ butterfly framework via a $μ_3-η^2:η^2:η^2$ bonding mode. The $PPh_3$ ligands have undergone a series of orthophosphorylation reactions to form 1,2-bis-(diphenylphosphanyl)benzene (DP) and bis[2-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl]phenylphosphine (TP) moirties in compounds 1 and 2, respectively.
