In the work, a metal oxide containing boron carbon nitride (BCN) sheets were prepared and dispersed in sunflower oil to form uniform adherent films on iron (Fe) via a simple single-step thermal treatment (without involving any initiator/mediator/catalyst). The coatings were evaluated through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), open circuit voltage (OCV) and polarization techniques. The electrochemical corrosion tests proved that the metal containing BCN oil coating exhibits superior anti-corrosion performance than a pristine coating. Open circuit voltage shifted to more positive values with metal oxide incorporation. I-corr value decreased drastically whereas polarization resistance increased significantly as compared to bare Fe. It is clearly observed that there is no change in structure, morphology, or electrochemical properties even after a prolonged exposure time of 30 days. In addition, other physicochemical evaluations like FT-IR, XPS, XRF and XRD, FE-SEM along with abrasion resistance, adhesion and salt spray were carried out for the coatings. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.