Synthesis, structural characterization, Hirshfeld surface analysis and anti-corrosion on mild steel in 1M HCl of ethyl 2-(3-methyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinoxaline-1-yl)acetate

•Ethyl 2-(3-methyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinixalin-1-yl)acetate.•(EMOqA) has been synthesized.•The compound was characterized using NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography.•Intercontacts between crystal units are identified by Hirshfeld surface analysis.•The corrosion inhibition of mild steel in HCl 1 M was experimentally performed by EIS, and PC techniques.•The experimental results were confirmed by a theoretical study using DFT and MD simulation.