Nickel bis(dimethylglyoximate) is the coordination complex with the formula Ni[ONC(CH<sub>3</sub>)C(CH<sub>3</sub>)NOH]2. The compound is a bright red solid. It achieved prominence for its use in the qualitative analysis of nickel.
The geometry of the nickel(II) ion is square planar.[1] It is surrounded by two equivalents of the conjugate base (dmgH−) of dimethylglyoxime (dmgH2). The pair of organic ligands are joined through hydrogen bonds to give a macrocyclic ligand. The complex is distinctively colored and insoluble leading to its use as a chelating agent in the gravimetric analysis of nickel.
The use of dimethylglyoxime as a reagent to detect nickel was reported by L. A. Chugaev in 1905.[2]