Poly(O-anisidine) coating was successfully electrodeposited onto Al-2024. Cyclic voltammetry and reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIR) analysis were carried out in order to fully understand the formation and structure of the resulting polymer coating. RAIR spectrum showed the characteristics peaks of poly(O-anisidine). As the reaction time was varied, the CV peak shifted from 0.75 to 0.81 V vs. SCE suggesting that a change in structure of the polymer from a reduced state to a partially oxidized form has occurred. UV spectrum showed two peaks at 320 and 620 nm suggesting the presence of conjugation on the polymer backbone. The deposition of the poly(O-anisidine) onto the substrate was controlled by nucleation and growth mechanism. DC polarization technique was used to evaluate the corrosion protection offered by poly(O-anisidine) coatings. Preliminarily data shows that these coatings help to ennoble the surface of the substrate. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.