Infrared spectrophotometry of OH 231.8 + 4.2 identified with OH 0739-14

Infrared spectrophotometry from 2.1 to 4.1 microns and from 7.7 to 13.3 microns of the peculiar OH maser source OH 231.8 + 4.2 identified with OH 0739-14 is reported. Deep absorption features are found at 3.1 microns and from 8 to 13 microns, and are identified with absorption by cold ices and silicates in the line of sight to the infrared source. The infrared flux is also found to vary. These infrared observations present new difficulties in understanding the nature of the object. Several possibly useful observations of OH 231.8 + 4.2 are suggested.