Infrared and Raman spectral studies of DL-aspartic acid nitrate monohy
drate help to determine the influence of extensive intermolecular hydr
ogen bonding in the aspartic acid crystal. The presence of the carbony
l rather than the carboxylic group indicates that the molecule is ioni
c. The shifting of several group frequencies in the molecule confirms
extensive hydrogen bonding. The anion fundamentals however continue to
be degenerate. This indicates that its symmetry is unaffected in the
molecule. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.