Crystals of cis-l,5-bis(toluene-p-sulfonyl)-3,7-dihydroxyoctahydro-l,5-diazocine are orthorhombic, space group Pbca. The unit-cell constants are a= 12.988 (2), b=21.304 (3) and c= 15.299 (2) A, Z= 8.Three-dimensional intensity data (1797 reflections) were obtained with a CAD-4 automated four-circle diffractometer. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined to a conventional R value of 3.8 %. The eight-membered ring has an extended crown conformation and exhibits strain. The hydroxyl groups are definitely cis, confirming earlier spectroscopic analysis. The toluene-p-sulfonate groups are quite regular and inclined to the mean plane of the eight-membered ring at angles of 161 and 167 °. The molecules are held together by hydrogen bonds along the x direction and by van der Waals forces in the other directions.