Abstract 2-Dihydroxyphosphonyl-2-hydroxy-propionic acid (DHHPA), 1, 4-bis [(dihydroxyphosphonyl) hydroxy-methyl] benzene (BDHB) and 2, 3-bis (dihydroxyphosphonyl)-1, 4-butanedioic acid (BDBA) were synthesized by acid catalyzed hydrolysis of the corresponding substituted phosphonates or bisphosphonates. The structure of these compounds was confirmed by elemental analysis as well as by infrared ( ...