Azolyl-hydroxy alkanoic acid compounds

A racemic compound having the general formula (I):

• ##STR5## and stereoisomers thereof, wherein R.sup.1 is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbons, phenyl or phenyl substituted with halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, nitro, phenyl or phenoxy;
• R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are together a --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 -- bridging group, or each represents hydrogen, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, phenyl or benzyl or phenyl or benzyl substituted with halogen, alkyl or alkoxy of 1 to 6 carbons, nitro, phenyl or phenoxy, the alkyl moiety of the benzyl being unsubstituted or substituted with alkyl of from 1 to 6 carbons;
• and Y is .dbd.N-- or .dbd.CH--, and acid addition salts, alkyl, aralkyl or aryl ethers, alkanoate esters and metal complexes thereof.