The efficiency, as steel-corrosion inhibitors in 0.1 M and 1 M H2SO4, of two Schiff bases, 2-{[(4-methoxyphenyl)imino]methyl}phenol and 1-{[(4-methoxyphenyl)imino]methyl}-2-naphthol, (abbreviated SB-1 and SB-2, respectively) was investigated by Tafel extrapolation and linear polarization methods. Corrosion parameters and adsorption isotherms were determined from current-potential curves. It was found that the percent inhibition efficiencies (eta%) and surface coverage (theta) increase with an increases in the concentrations of inhibitors. The results showed that these compounds act as good corrosion inhibitors especially at high concentrations. The adsorption of used compounds on the steel surface obeys Langmuir's isotherm. Obvious correlation was found between corrosion inhibition efficiency and quantum chemical parameters obtained by B3LYP/6-31g(d) method. The obtained theoretical results have been compared with the experimental findings. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.