chemistry Department, Asutosh College, Calcutta-700 026 spectroscopy Department, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Calcutta-700 032 Manuscript received 28 June 1996, revised 27 October 1997, accepted 23 March 1998 Solid state Raman and infrared spectral study of benzydroxamic acid, potassium salt of benzhydroxamic acid and N-benzophenylhydroxamic acid, in the frequency range 500-1700 cm-1, have been made along with a reference molecule, benzamide. From a comparative study of the different spectra of the compounds, each having the common feature in presence one or more phenyl ring in their structures, the various planar vibrations due to the phenyl ring and those originating from the substituent groups have been identified.