Abhurite Sn21O6Cl16(OH)(14) is a tin oxy-hydroxychloride discovered in 1985 as a tin corrosion product formed after long immersion in seawater, has been synthesised and studied using FTIRAS analysis. The vibrational spectra obtained in transmission and reflectance modes of analysis are presented and compared to the vibrational spectra determined by Kramers-Kronig analysis. Transversal and longitudinal (TO and LO) optical modes have been identified. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.