Two myo-inositol phosphates, myo-inositol 1,2,3-tris(dihydrogen phosphate) and myo-inositol 1,2,3,5-tetrakis(dihydrogen phosphate), have been synthesised in several steps from myo-inositol (in Chem. Abstr.: d-myo-inositol) in the form of their sodium salts. They were shown to prevent iron-gall-ink decay in cellulose items at the same level as phytic acid dodecasodium salt.