Knowledge Bank

The formate anion, $HCO\mathrm{<mrow\; data-mjx-texclass="ORD">2</mrow>}-$, has been trapped in solid neon by the codeposition of either a Ne:HCOOH or a $Ne:H2:CO2$ sample with a beam of neon atoms that have been excited in a microwave discharge. Prominent infrared absorptions not only of the formate anion but also of t-HOCO appear in both systems. Detailed isotopic substitution studies and the results of ab initio and density functional calculations support both identifications.