Structure of the OH stretching vibrational band of formic acid

Abstract
The infrared spectrum of self‐associated HCOOH as well as the infrared spectra of the mixed adducts of HCOOH and DCOOH with acceptors of different basicity are analyzed. Contrary to present interpretations involving the coupling of stretching and intermolecular vibrations, Fermi resonance with overtones and combination tones is proven to be the true and single cause for the submaxima in the OH stretching vibrational range.