Absolute infrared band intensities and air broadening coefficient for spectroscopic measurements of formic acid in air

The absolute infrared intensities of the ν₂, ν₃ and ν₆ bands of formic acid have been evaluated in a 480 L White cell system using FTIR and ion chromatography techniques. The values obtained are, respectively; (4.2 ± 0.2) × 10⁻¹⁷ cm molec⁻¹ for the ν₆ band, (4.8 ± 0.2) × 10⁻¹⁷ cm molec⁻¹ for the ν₃ band and (0.57 ± 0.04) × 10⁻¹⁷ cm molec⁻¹ for the ν₂ band. The air broadening coefficient of transitions in the ν₆ band, has been measured using a tunable diode laser spectrometer, equal to (0.101 ± 0.005) cm⁻¹ atm⁻¹ (half width at half maximum). A computer search has been performed to find absorption lines of formic acid suitable for second derivative tunable diode laser measurement of this gas in ambient air.