Complete three-dimensional X-ray crystal structure analyses of estrogenic [erythro-1-(2,6-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(2-halo-4- hydroxyphenyl)ethylenediamine]diiodoplatinum(II) complexes (halo = fluoro:erythro-8PtI2 and halo = chloro:erythro-9-PtI2) which were synthesized for application in breast and prostate cancer, have been carried out. 6239 as well as 6521 reflexes were measured and refined to an R-value of 0.105 and 0.066, respectively. The molecules of erythro-8-PtI2 are displaced laterally from a possible Pt-Pt-axis separated, alternatingly, by Pt-Pt-distances of 3.62 A and 6.27 A. A comparable structure possesses erythro-9-PtI2 with Pt-Pt-distances of 3.59 A and 6.32 A. The ethylenediamine ligands of erythro-8-PtI2 and erythro-9-PtI2 are puckered and exist in half chair conformations. For both complexes the 2,6-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenyl ring is equatorially arranged, while the 2-halo-4-hydroxyphenyl ring is nearly perpendicular to the N-Pt-N plane. The O-O-distance between the phenolic oxygens amounts to 8.1 A in erythro-8-PtI2 and to 7.8 A in erythro-9-PtI2. Though these O-O-distances differ strongly from that (12.1 A), which is considered to be necessary for the binding of an estrogen to its receptor, [1-(2,6-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)- 2-(2-halo-4-hydroxyphenyl)ethylenediamine)]platinum(II) complexes show estrogenic effects which are, however, strongly reduced compared to that of therapeutically used estrogens like diethylstilbestrol. The relationship between molecular structure and estrogenicity as well as the significance of the latter for antitumor activity and untoward side effects are thoroughly discussed.