1,2-Diformylhydrazine as a bidentate ligand forms 1:1 metal to ligand complexes with transition metals Mn, Zn and Ni. It combines with iron (II) and iron(III) in alkaline conditions to a complex of an intense red-purple color making it a useful reagent in spectrophotometric analysis of iron(II) and iron(III). It was observed that mice were more likely to develop lung tumor when administered 1,2-Diformylhydrazine as a 2% solution.