Monatomic metal anions are generated in the gas phase by collision-induced dissociation of the anions [26] of a dicarboxylic acid salt of the metal. This method is applicable to a number of metals, including sodium, potassium, cesium, and silver. The metal anions produced in this way can subsequently be stored in an ion trap [88] or transmitted as a focused beam [52]. The metal anions of this invention undergo collisional cooling and have low kinetic energy, which distinguishes them from ions produced by other high energy processes (with kinetic energy in excess of 1 keV). Metal anions so produced can be used to pattern nanoscale features on surfaces [56], used as electron transfer agents or reducing agents in ion-molecule reactions, or used for surface [122] modification of biomaterials [124].