1,2-Dimethylhydrazine co-ordinates to numerous metal cations. The structures of the complexes of Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg and Pt are discussed and the complexing abilities of the 1,2-dimethylhydrazine molecule are determined on the basis of the ligand field spectra of the nickel and the chromium derivative.The results of polarography, cyclic voltammetry and photoelectron spectroscopy yield evidence on the redox properties of the neutral molecule. By means of EPR spectroscopy the nature of the radical products obtained by irradiation of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine, especially of the radical cation, is determined.