The infrared spectra of stoichiometric LiNbO3 crystals containing photorefractive damage resistant ions (e.g. M = Mg, Zn, Sc, In, Hf, Zr or Sn) above their threshold concentration reveal OH- absorption bands absent in undoped crystals. The bands are attributed to stretching vibrations of hydroxyl ions in M-Nb(n+) OH- (n = 2, 3 or 4) type defect complexes. The higher the valency of the dopant ion the lower the observed frequency of the hydroxyl vibration in the complex, and the closer the O-H bond direction to the oxygen plane perpendicular to the crystallographic c axis of the crystal. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.