Novel hydroxy-aryl ketones are disclosed having a branched hydrocarbon chain on the aromatic nucleus ortho to the hydroxy group. The compounds were found to possess anti-microbial properties and are also useful as intermediates to the preparation of the corresponding oximes. The compounds are ideally defined by the formula: ##STR1## where R.sub.1 is a saturated or unsaturated, branched chain hydrocarbyl group and R.sub.2 is a saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, hydrocarbyl group.