Alkylphenyl-substituted imidazolines as corrosion inhibitors: experimental and DFT study

A series of steel corrosion inhibitors based on poly(alkyl-phenyl)-2-imidazolines was synthesized from available reagents. Electronic parameters that influence binding to a metal surface have been determined, and the influence of substituents on the geometry of binding to the surface has been studied. The resulting compounds have a degree of protection of steel in hydrochloric acid solutions in individual form above 98% at 60 °C and in a mixture with urotropine more than 99% at 95 °C.