Abstract: Novel compounds and the use of these compounds in inhibiting corrosion and scale in open cooling systems containing ferrous materials which are: ##STR1## These compounds are prepared by a carboxylic acid-phosphonic acid interchange in the general reaction involving .alpha.-phosphorous containing carboxylic acids as reactants:--P--CH.sub.2 CO.sub.2 H .fwdarw. --P--CH.sub.2 PO.sub.3 H.sub.2these compounds show activity in scale and corrosion inhibition in open air cooling systems.