O,O′-dibenzoyl-(2R,3R)-tartaric acid resolves racemic alcohols by complex formation; the X-ray crystal structure of the (–)-(1R,2S,5R)-menthol·O,O′-dibenzoyl-(2R,3R)-tartaric acid complex is reported which was obtained by reacting O,O′-dibenzoyl-(2R,3R)-tartaric acid monohydrate and racemic menthol.