The efficiency of some substituted N-arylpyrroles as zinc corrosion inhibitors in hydrochloric acid was examined by electrochemical (d.c. and a.c.) and gravimetric methods. The influence of the structure and composition of a molecule on the inhibition characteristics was observed by investigation of the action of the functional group located on the pyrrole ring (-CHO) and at the ortho position of the benzene ring (-H, -Cl, -CH3). The results have shown that all the organic compounds investigated possess good inhibiting properties. In contrast to most commercial acid corrosion inhibitors, which are highly toxic and very hazardous products, substituted N-arylpyrroles are nontoxic compounds with good environmental characteristics.