IR spectra of BeSO₄.4H₂O and its deuterated analogue at ∼300 K and ∼110 K are reported in the region 4000–1200 cm⁻¹ using thin film and nujol mull techniques. The observed bands have been assigned as the internal modes of the water and the overtones and combinations of various modes using the recently revised assignments of SO₄²⁻ and Be(aq)₄ fundamentals in the region 1200–250 cm⁻¹ (Srivastavaet al 1976). The splitting of the internal modes of water has been discussed in the light of the effects of deuteration and cooling and it is shown that all the water molecules in a unit cell are asymmetric but crystallographically equivalent.

IR absorption spectra of BeSO₄.4H₂O and its deuterated analogue are reported in the region 1200–250 cm⁻¹ at 110 K. The half-widths and relative integrated intensities of the bands are also reported. The study largely confirms the assignments for thev₃ andv₄ modes of SO₄²⁻ ion and thev₃ mode of Be(aq)₄²⁺, complex as made by Diemet al. The assignments of the other modes of SO₄²⁻ and Be(aq)₄²⁺, and the librational modes of water are given a more solid footing as result of the present investigation.

The longest wavelengthπ* ←π electronic band system of ortho-hydroxybenzonitrile vapour through the absorption technique has been reported for the first time. Assuming a planar molecular geometry in both the electronic states, the molecule is classified into aC_s point group, and the present spectrum is attributed to¹A′ ←¹A′ type corresponding to electric dipole forbidden transition¹B_2u ←¹A_1g (260 nm band system) of benzene. The most intense band at 33914 cm⁻¹ has been assigned as the 0, 0 band, and the other vibronic bands have been interpreted in terms of the excited state and a few ground state fundamentals.

The optical absorption spectra of EuCl₃ in aqueous and acidic solutions were measured in the visible anduv regions of the spectrum. The concentration as well as the temperature of the solutions were varied to establish an accurate free-ion energy level scheme of Eu³⁺. The energy levels were assigned on the basis of a correlation between the calculated and the experimentally observed transition energies and associated band intensities.