[RhH(CO)(PPh)] was first prepared by the reduction of [RhCl(CO)(PPh)], e.g. with sodium tetrahydroborate, or triethylamine and hydrogen, in ethanol in the presence of excess triphenylphosphine: 
:[RhCl(CO)(PPh)]  +  NaBH  +  PPh   →   [RhH(CO)(PPh)]  +  NaCl  +  BH
It can also be prepared from an aldehyde, rhodium trichloride and triphenylphosphine in basic alcoholic media.