Theoretical and experimental studies of a new aniline derivative corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in acid medium

4‐Chloro‐N‐(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)aniline (CPYA) was synthesized by a simple and inexpensive method and tested as a corrosion inhibitor in acid medium for mild steel by using gravimetric studies and electrochemical measurements. An average maximum efficiency of 96.0% was achieved at 4.59 mmol/L. Corrosion kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were also analyzed. Surface analyses (atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy) show that protection is enabled by adsorption on the metal, forming a film. Quantum chemical calculations were performed to access information regarding the molecular structure in the corrosive medium and to support interpretation of the results obtained by experimental methods. 4‐Chloro‐N‐(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)aniline (CPYA) was synthesized and tested as a corrosion inhibitor in acid medium for mild steel by using gravimetric studies and electrochemical measurements. Average maximum efficiency of 96.0% was achieved at 4.59 mmol/L. Corrosion kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were also analyzed. Surface analyses (atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy) show that protection is enabled by adsorption on the metal, forming a film.