[en] General regularities of the metal corrosion inhibitors action are singled out; it is underlined, that their creation is a large-scale scientific problem, requiring application of achievements of a great number of the physical chemistry areas. The limitations in applying the adsorption-type inhibitors, the theory whereof is the most developed, are considered. The importance and theoretical aspects of developing the composite inhibitors and inhibiting hydrophilic monomers, polymerizing by adsorption on the metal surface, are discussed. The search for the ways for controlling the inhibitors polymerization in the thin adsorption layers may become the new effective direction in the anticorrosion protection. The achievements of the theory and the perspectives for the complexing inhibitors are obvious. Special inhibition cases, which cannot be explained within the frames of the adsorption theory and requiring the account for the complexing reactions are considered