Laser Raman and infrared spectral studies of dl-phenylalaninium nitrate.

The vibrational band assignments of dl-phenylalaninium nitrate in the crystalline state are made by recording the infrared and Raman spectra at room temperature. The presence of carbonyl (C=O) group has been identified. The prominent marker bands of the aromatic amino acid phenylalanine have been observed and the various modes of vibration have been assigned. The extensive intermolecular hydrogen bonding in the crystal has been identified by the shifting of bands due to the stretching and bending modes of the various functional groups. The nitrate group forms the anion. The stretching and bending wave numbers of the NO(3)(-) anion are different from those observed for free ion state and the degenerating mode of vibrations is also lifted. These reveal that the crystalline field has influenced the symmetry of the nitrate ion.