Matrix effects on hydrogen-bonded complexes trapped in low-temperature matrices

There are several different possible matrix effects on hydrogen-bonded complexes trapped in low-temperature matrices: hydrogen-bonded complexes may be stabilised (compared with the gas phase) as a result of being trapped in a low-temperature matrix; metastable hydrogen-bonded complexes may be trapped in matrices; the matrix may influence the extent of proton transfer in a hydrogen-bonded complex; the matrix may influence the structure of a hydrogen-bonded complex. Each of these possible effects is examined in turn using selected examples from the literature as well as our own work.