Poly(o-ethoxyaniline) (POEA) coatings were synthesized on copper (Cu) by electrochemical polymerization of o-ethoxyaniline in aqueous salicylate solution by using cyclic voltammetry. These coatings were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The performance of POEA as protective coating against corrosion of Cu in aqueous 3% NaCl was assessed by the potentiodynamic polarization technique and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results of the potentiodynamic polarization and EIS studies demonstrate that the POEA coating has ability to protect the Cu against corrosion. The corrosion potential was about 0.330 V versus SCE more positive in aqueous 3% NaCl for the POEA coated Cu than that of uncoated Cu and reduces the corrosion rate of Cu almost by a factor of 140. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.