The study examines the characteristics of the plant leaf extract of Acalypha Wilkesiana (copper leaf) by phytochemical analyses, Fourier transforms the techniques of infrarot spectroscopy (FT-IR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The leaf extract was obtained using maceration techniques in 1,5 liters of 70% ethanol and 30% distilled water as solvent. FT-IR was carried out using model-8400S Spectrophotometer Schmadzu machine whereas GC-MS model 2010 Plus Schmadzu was used to analyze the extract. The phytochemical screening shows that the extract of the leaf contains tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, glycosides and volatile oils in varying amounts. The results of FT-IR analysis revealed the presence of some Thiocarnonyl (C=S), Sulphides compound (SxOy compounds) and C-Br Stretching of halogen derivatives. Also, it was observe that the GC-MS indicated the following: 1,3-Benzenediol, 2-chloroC6H3ClN2O6, 4-Ethynyl-1- methylpyrazoleC6H6N2, DifluoroamineF2HN, 10-Azido-1-decanethiolC10H21N3S,Diethylene glycol, 2TMS derivative C10H26O3Si2, Carbamodithioic acid C4H9NS2 and (6E)-3-Chloro-6-imino-1(6H)-pyridazinol C4H4ClN3O. Accordingly, phyto-constituents containing heteroatoms such as O, N, S, P and aromatic functional groups were found to be present in the leaf extract. These are indications of the potency for use in the formulation of organic inhibitor which is our primary aim. This suggests the use of Acalypha Wilkesiana as green inhibitor for the corrosion inhibition of materials.
