[en] Highlights: • PDTC inhibits efficiently copper corrosion in chloride media. • PDTC is mixed corrosion inhibitor of Cu in chloride media. • PDTC forms a chelate complex with cuprous species. • PDTC adsorbs on copper surface during immersion in chloride media. • PDTC hinders the oxide film formation on copper surface. - Abstract: Adsorption of ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) on copper surface in 0.2 and 30 g L"−"1 NaCl media was investigated by different electrochemical methods and surface analyses. The results from electrochemical measurements showed that PDTC adsorbs rapidly on copper surface and revealed a marked effect of mixed inhibition. Surface analyses confirm the adsorption of PDTC on copper and the formation of a Cu–PDTC complex through the S atoms of PDTC. At high concentrations PDTC prevents oxides and cuprous chloride formation. XPS results showed that PDTC bonds with cuprous species indicating the formation of Cu"I–PDTC complex.