A macrocyclic dinuclear copper complex, [Cu-2(II)(1)Br-3(H2O)]Br, has been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography, in which the macrocycle is folded to form a bowl-shaped cavity. The sensing ability of the receptor has been studied for halides by UV-vis spectroscopy in water acetonitrile (1:3, v/v) and water. The results indicate that the new receptor exhibits a strong affinity and selectivity for iodide.