Abstract
The results of new approaches to the problem of dissolution of metal crystals in electrolytes are summarised and analysed. The analysis is based on consideration of a metal/electrolyte interface as a system of two coupled, structurally organised, condensed phases in which cooperative excitation processes take place. Excitation (suppression) of dissolution is discussed in terms of local initiation (inhibition) of surface linearly extended defects of the crystal structure. The ideas proposed are supported by experimental results. The bibliography includes 63 references.