The Vibrational Spectra of the Formate, Acetate, and Oxalate Ions

The infrared spectra of the formate, acetate, and oxalate ions have been obtained for both the solid and aqueous solution. The Raman spectra of these ions with depolarization ratios have been obtained in aqueous solution. Vibrational assignments have been made which differ slightly for the acetate ion and more markedly for the oxalate ion from earlier work. The depolarization ratios confirm Fonteyne’s assignment for the formate ion.