Vinyl imidazole (VI) was copolymerized with four silane coupling agents, allyl trimethoxysilane (ATS), gamma-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane (MPS), 3(N-styrylmethoxyl-2-amino-ethylamino) propyltrimethoxysilane hydrochloride (STS), and vinyl trimethoxysilane (VTS), in benzene at 68 degrees C using azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator. Fourier transform infrared reflection and absorption spectroscopy (FTIR-RAS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were applied to the study of the corrosion protection on copper by various silane-modified poly(vinyl imidazole)(1)s [PVI(1)]s. Four silane-modified PVI(1)s proved to be good corrosion inhibitors in humid conditions. However, the corrosion protection capability at an elevated temperature of silane-modified PVI(1)s depended on their thermal stability. Poly(VI-co-VTS) showed the best corrosion protection capability at elevated temperature due to its highest thermal stability.