Amino Acids and Their Derivatives as Corrosion Inhibitors

In past few decades, focus of researches, in the area of corrosion inhibitors, has centered mostly on objective of replacement of environmentally hazardous substances with inexpensive, efficient compounds with minimal to non-negative environmental consequences. Since they are eco-friendly, nontoxic, biodegradable, and moderately priced, amino acids and their compounds are among the motivating ones that could be used as potent inhibitors against the metallic corrosion, under varying conditions. In the amino acids, two ionizable functional groups with opposite chemical characteristics are generally included: the amine group (NH 2 ) imparting basic properties and the carboxyl group (COOH) imparting acid properties. The advancement in corrosion control methods and techniques remains a topic of significant industrial and academic concern. The quest for new eco-friendly compounds as corrosion inhibitors has resulted in a variety of amino acids, and their derivatives being tested in different aggressive media for certain metals and their alloys, safe and efficient corrosion inhibitors. So the primary aim of this chapter is to cover the applicability of the amino acids and their derivatives as inhibitors in the prevention of corrosion.