Reactions of laser-ablated lanthanum and yttrium atoms with carbon monoxide molecules in solid neon have been investigated using matrix-isolation infrared spectroscopy. The M(CO)(x) and MCO+ (M = La, Y; x = 1-4) molecules have been formed and identified on the basis of isotopic shifts, mixed isotopic splitting patterns, and CCl4-doping experiments. Density functional theory calculations have been performed on these lanthanum and yttrium carbonyls. The agreement between the experimental and calculated vibrational frequencies, relative absorption intensities, and isotopic shifts substantiates the identification of these carbonyls from the matrix infrared spectrum. The present study reveals that the C-O stretching vibrational frequencies of MCO+ decrease from Sc to La, which indicates an increasing in metal d orbital -> CO pi* back-donation in this series.