Synthesis, structure and antimicrobial activity of dialkyl [(hydroxy)(4-nitrophenyl)methyl]phosphonates

New dialkyl [(hydroxy)(4-nitrophenyl)methyl]phosphonates containing various alkyl substituents were obtained from 4-nitrobenzaldehyde and the corresponding dialkyl phosphites and demonstrated antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacterial strains B. cereus and S. aureus and antifungal activity against Candida albicans fungi. The dependence of antimicrobial activity on the nature of the substituents at the carbon atom a to phosphorus has been established.