The asymmetric unit of the title complex, [Ir2Cl4(C12H19)2], a versatile starting material for the preparation of uniquely substituted penta-alkyl-cyclo-penta-dien-yl-iridium complexes, consists of an iridium(III) atom, a substituted cyclo-penta-dienyl ligand and two chlorine ligands. The full dimer is generated by an inversion center. In the dimer, the two Ir(III) atoms and two bridging Cl atoms form a perfectly planar ring. The two Ir(III) atoms and the two terminal Cl atoms also form a rigorous plane that is orthogonal [89.48 (3)°] to the Ir2Cl2 ring. The plane of the cyclo-penta-dienyl ligand forms a dihedral angle of 54.06 (7)° with respect to the Ir2Cl2 ring.