The corrosion inhibition of mild steel with Schiff base compounds derived from salicylaldehyde and the corresponding amine was studied in relation to the concentration using electrochemical techniques. The maximum inhibition efficiency (eta) was obtained for the N-(2-methyl phenyl)salicyaldimine compound with the three-electrochemical techniques applied. The N-(2-methyl phenyl)salicyaldimine and N-(2-methoxyphenyl)salicyaldimine compounds were seen to obey the Temkin adsorption isotherm whereas N-(2-hydroxyphenyl)salicyaldimine obeyed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.