Abstract: The invention relates to hypophosphorous acid derivatives of formula (I) wherein —X is H or OH, —R represents one or several radicals R1-R5, identical or different, two of R1-R5 optionally occupying the same position on the phenyl group, one to four of R1-R5 being H and the others being selected in the group comprising -0-(CH2)n—COOH; —S—(CH2)n—COOH; —NH—(CH2)n—COOH; -0-(CH,R?)—COOH; —O—(CH2)n—OH; OR?, —R? being a C1-C3 alkyl radical; —OH; —COOH; halogen, particularly —F, —CI, —Br, —I, —CF3; —OCF3; —N02; —CH?CH—COOH; —(CH2)n—COOH; O—(CH2)n—P03H2; O—(CF2)n—P03H2; O—(CH2)n—S03H; O—(CH2)n—CONHOH; O—(CH2)n-tetrazol; O—(CH2)n-hydroxyisoxazol—n=1 to 5, preferably 1-3; said hypophosrous acid derivatives being diastereoisomers or enantiomers.