Process for preparing 1,1'-binaphthyls

A process for preparing 1,1'-binaphthyls, which comprises reacting a 1-halonaphthalene substituted in the 2 position and, optionally, in one or more of positions 3 to 7 by an alkyl, alkoxy or dialkylamino group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms in the alkyl radical and a 1-naphthylmagnesiumhalide substituted in the 2 position and, optionally, in one or more of positions 3 to 7 by an alkyl, alkoxy or dialkylamino group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms in the alkyl radical in a nonpolar solvent at 30.degree. to 150.degree. C. in the presence of palladium and a phosphine of the formula ##STR7## in which X is (CH.sub.2).sub.m and m is an integer from 1 to 4 or X is a radical ##STR8## and n is an integer from 0 to 2, each Ar is, independently of the others, a phenyl, tolyl, xylyl, fluorophenyl or trifluoromethylphenyl radical, or in the presence of palladium and a phosphine of the formula ##STR9## in which R is an alkyl radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl radical having 5 to 6 carbon atoms or Ar and each Ar has the abovementioned meaning.