Thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction and temperature-dependent IR spectroscopy were used to study the dehydration process of crystalline dl-phenylglycinium trifluoromethanesulfonate monohydrate (PGTFH), C 8 H 10 NO 2 + ÁCF 3 -SO 3 À ÁH 2 O. PGTFH dehydrates in one step centred at 353 K and crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c, whereas the anhydrous compound (PGTF) crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1. The dehydration process in PGTFH is preceded by a weakening of both the noncovalent aromatic-aromatic interactions and the packing contacts. This process is accompanied by the breakage of medium-strength O-HÁ Á ÁO hydrogen bonds between ions inside layers and a reorganization of the ions within the layers. This reorganization results in the formation of two different ion pairs (dl-phenylglycinium trifluoromethanesulfonate) and the formation of a new hydrogen-bond network. The dehydration process does not destroy the nature of the crystal structure. Both crystals, i.e. hydrated and anhydrous, have a layered structure, although the layers of each crystal are arranged somewhat differently.Note: (a) the values given before and after '/' are related to the cooling and heating processes, respectively.