Abstract
The crystal structure of dl-alanine hydro-iodide (1-carb-oxy-ethanaminium iodide), C(3)H(8)NO(2) (+)·I(-), is that of an organic salt consisting of N-protonated cations and iodide anions. The compound features homochiral helices of N-H⋯O hydrogen-bonded cations in the [010] direction; neighbouring chains are related by crystallographic inversion centers and hence show opposite chirality. The iodide counter-anions act as hydrogen-bond acceptors towards H atoms of the ammonium and carb-oxy groups, and cross-link the chains along [100]. Thus, an overall two-dimensional network is formed in the ab plane. No short contacts occur between iodide anions.