Dimethyl glyoxime is a neutral ligand. Ligands are molecules or ions that can donate a pair of electrons to form a coordinate bond with a metal ion. They can be classified as neutral or charged, depending on whether they carry a net charge. In the case of dimethyl glyoxime, it is a neutral ligand because it does not carry a net charge.

Explanation:
- Definition of a ligand: A ligand is a molecule or ion that can donate a pair of electrons to form a coordinate bond with a metal ion. This electron donation is typically from a lone pair of electrons on the ligand.
- Neutral ligand: A neutral ligand is a ligand that does not carry a net charge. This means that the number of electrons donated by the ligand is equal to the number of electrons accepted by the metal ion. Dimethyl glyoxime falls under this category as it does not carry a net charge.
- Structure of dimethyl glyoxime: Dimethyl glyoxime is a compound with the formula C4H10N2O2. It consists of two methyl groups (CH3) attached to a central carbon atom, which is also bonded to two nitrogen atoms and two oxygen atoms. The presence of the nitrogen atoms with lone pairs of electrons allows dimethyl glyoxime to act as a ligand.
- Coordination with metal ions: Dimethyl glyoxime can form coordination complexes with metal ions by donating a pair of electrons from one of its nitrogen atoms. This forms a coordinate bond between the metal ion and the ligand. The oxygen atoms in dimethyl glyoxime can also participate in coordination chemistry, but the nitrogen atoms are typically the primary electron donors.
- Applications: Dimethyl glyoxime is commonly used in coordination chemistry to detect and determine the presence of certain metal ions. It forms stable complexes with metals such as nickel, which can be easily identified and quantified using various analytical techniques.
- Conclusion: In summary, dimethyl glyoxime is a neutral ligand that can form coordinate bonds with metal ions by donating a pair of electrons from its nitrogen atoms. It is widely used in coordination chemistry for the detection and analysis of metal ions.