The efficiency of various imidazole derivatives as corrosion inhibitor
s for copper in hydrochloric and sulfuric acids (HCl and H2SO4) was in
vestigated. Electrochemical measurements showed the organic compounds
investigated have fairly good inhibiting properties, except for 4-meth
yl-5-imidazole-carbaldehyde in HCl. Protecting properties of most imid
azole derivatives were close to those of commercial inhibitors for cop
per. Evaluation of the toxicity of the water solutions on the biologic
al system for treatment of waste water - as measured in regard to chem
ical oxygen demands (COD), aerobic, and anaerobic toxicity - showed th
e tested inhibitors have relatively low toxicity.