Abstract: The invention concerns combinations of substances with (1) an aromatic mercaptothiazole or triazole, (2) a multiple substituted phenol insoluble in water, (3) L ascorbic acid or one of its salts and possibly (4) a suitable carboxylic acid/salt pair that after sublimation and condensation on metal surfaces can stabilize the pH value of a condensed water film in the range 4.8≦pH≦6.5 (referred to 25° C.), and use of the combinations of substances as vapor-phase corrosion inhibitors in packaging or for storage in closed spaces for protecting preferably metals that cannot be passivated, like copper, silver, manganese, magnesium and their alloys, against atmospheric corrosion.