Complexes of Nickel (II), Copper (II), Zinc (II) and Cadmium (II) ions with Schiff base derived from 4-cyanobenzaldehyde and 4-methoxyaniline were synthesized and investigated by several techniques using elemental analysis, FT-IR, UV-visible, 1 HNMR, ESR, Magnetic susceptibility. The results revealed that, the synthesized ligand coordinate with the central metal ions through the azomethine nitrogen. Investigation of the stereochemistry of these complexes suggests the existence of tetrahedral geometries for Ni (II), Zn (II) and Cd (II) complexes where's pesedotetrahedral geometries as expected for Cu (II) complex. The effect of the Schiff base ligand (1) and its corresponding Zn complex on the corrosion behaviors of C-steel in 0.5 M HCl acid solution were studied by weight loss measurements. The inhibitive effect of ligand (1) and its stable tetrahedral Zn complex is argued to their adsorption over the C-steel surface. Key word; Transition metal complexes, Schiff base, Corrosion inhibitor