Imidazole derivatives as efficient and potential class of corrosion inhibitors for metals and alloys in aqueous electrolytes: A review

[Display omitted] •In the present review, imidazole and its derivatives are surveyed as efficient corrosion inhibitors for metals and alloys.•Imidazole derivatives are used to inhibit metals by adsorbing at the interface metal/electrolyte to form a protective film.•The adsorption of inhibitor molecules on the metal surface takes place by the donor-acceptor (charge sharing) interactions.•Electron donating or withdrawing ability of various functional groups have been examined in terms of Hammett coefficients. Corrosion control of metals is of technical, economical, environmental, and aesthetical importance. The negative impacts of corrosion are so enormous, and it is therefore imperative for oil and gas industry, particularly offshore industry to have corrosion awareness in their daily activities with a view to providing corrosion protection of offshore structures, and ensure safe and productive drilling operations. One of the most economically viable method of ameliorating the menace of corrosion is the use of corrosion inhibitors. Imidazole derivatives have been extensively studied as potential corrosion inhibitors because of their potential for inhibition at relatively low concentrations in a highly corrosive environment, as well as their low toxicity and broad biological and pharmaceutical activities. The inhibitive activity of imidazole compounds is due to dissociated electron pairs and π electrons in their molecular structures. This review summarizes the corrosion inhibition of materials in acidic media using imidazole derivatives. Some recent researches were collected and discussed from previous works.