Inhibitory effect of new oxazol derivative on corrosion of stainless steel in acidic medium: An electrochemical investigation

3,3'-(1,4-Phenylene)bis(2-imino-2,3-dihydrobenzo[d]oxazole-5,3-diyl)bis(4- ethylbenzenesulfonate) (1,4-Ph(OX)(2)(Ts)(2)) has been synthesized and tested for its anticorrosion potential against stainless steel L316 (SS) in acidic condition. Various concentrations of the inhibitor in acidic solution are tested, and the corrosion inhibition efficiency to SS has been estimated by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The result show that the inhibition efficiency increases with increase in inhibitor concentration. The adsorption of 1,4-Ph(OX)(2)(Ts)(2) onto the SS surface follow the Langmuir adsorption model with the free energy of adsorption Delta G(ads)(0) of -6.14 kJ mol(-1). Quantum chemical calculations have been employed to give further insight into the mechanism of inhibition action of 1,4-Ph(OX)(2)(Ts)(2).