The title compound, C13H11NO4*H2O, is a monohydrate of a betaine exhibiting a positively charged N-substituted isoquinoline group and a deprotonated carboxyl group. In the crystal, molecules are connected via short O—H...O hydrogen bonds between protonated and deprotonated carboxyl groups into chains of either R or S enantiomers along [001]. These chains are additionally connected by hydrogen bonding between water molecules and the deprotonated carboxy groups of neighbouring molecules.

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