Bis(benzenesulfonato)bis(ethanol)cobalt(II), Co- (BS)2(EtOH)2, was crystallized from a solution of anhydrous bis(benzenesulfonato)cobalt(II), Co(BS)2, in absolute ethanol. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c with a = 10.313(2), b = 20.114(5), c = 10.835(5) Å, β = 118.33(2)°, Z = 4. The structure was determined from 5764 observed reflections and refined to R = 0.076. The Co atoms show a distorted octahedral coordination, being bonded to four oxygen atoms of four different BS- anions and to two oxygen atoms of EtOH. Each BS- anion bridges two Co atoms. Hydrogen bonds between the OH groups of EtOH and the uncoordinated oxygen of the BS- anions are formed. IR and electronic spectral data and magnetic moments of Co(BS)2(EtOH)2 were studied and compared with those of related compounds. © 1987.