1,2,3-Triazoles in corrosion protection: Chemistry, ligand properties, coordination bonding and interfacial behavior

1,2,3-Triazoles have emerged as nitrogen-rich heterocycles with multifunctional applications in corrosion protection, owing to their versatile coordination chemistry, chemical stability, tailorable physicochemical properties, unique electron structure, and broad functional utility in materials science. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of synthesis, characterization, coordination chemistry, and corrosion inhibition potential of 1,2,3-triazole derivatives. Various approaches to metal-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition, as well as metal-free and organocatalyst-based click chemistry for synthesizing 1,2,3-triazole-based systems, have been discussed in detail. A systematic literature survey has been conducted on these heterocyclic compounds, which exhibit strong inhibitory performance against various metals and alloys, including mild steel, copper, and aluminum, in acidic, neutral, and saline environments. The article also describes the ligand properties of triazole derivatives, such as non-innocent behavior, donation, retro-donation, effect of resonance, and coordination modes, that facilitate their interaction with metallic d-orbitals. In general, this work combines the practical advancements and chemical foundations of 1,2,3-triazoles in corrosion science, providing recommendations for the development of next-generation inhibitors that are both environmentally friendly and highly efficient.