The binuclear complex [Co 2 (tpha)(phen) 4 (H 2 O) 2 ] . (NO 3 ) 2 . 2C 2 H 5 OH, (tpha ¼ terephthalate dianion; phen ¼ 1,10-phenanthroline) has been synthesized by the reaction of H 2 tpha, phen and Co(NO 3 ) 2 . 6H 2 O in a mixed solvent of DMF/C 2 H 5 OH. Its structure was solved at 296 K. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2 1 /c:The final agreement factors are R ¼ 0.052 and wR ¼ 0.062. The binuclear entity is centrosymmetric and each Co(II) ion is 6-coordinate, distorted octahedral. The tpha ligand bridges two Co(II) ions in a bismonodentate fashion. The cations and anions are linked through intramolecular hydrogen bonds. The result of the variable temperature 173 ORDER REPRINTS magnetic susceptibility measurement revealed antiferromagnetic interaction between the two Co(II) ions. The analysis of the magnetic data finds: 2J ¼ 2 0.45 cm 21 and g ¼ 1.94. Also, the ESR spectra and the color of the complex markedly vary with temperature. The IR and UV-Vis-NIR spectra of the complex have been determined and assigned.