Abstract The visible and near-ultraviolet spectrum of rhodium(II)acetate hydrate single crystals has been measured in a temperature range from 10 K to 295 K. Two band systems centered at 17,000 cm-1 and 22,000 cm-1 have been found, both consisting of components polarized parallel to and perpendicular to the rhodium-rhodium z-axis. Polarizations, intensities and temperature dependences are consistent with an assignment of z-polarized a1g →a2u and xy-polarized eg →a2u transitions for the lower energy band. For the higher energy band it could not be determined definitely whether only the b2g →-b1u and eg → b1u transitions give rise to the z-and x,y-polarization directions, respectively, or if b1g → b2u and eg →b2u also make a contribution.