NEW MATERIAL:The compound of formula I {R is H, R1CO- [R1 is (substituted) phenyl or heterocyclic group], R2SO2- (R2 is 1W5C alkyl, 2W4C alkenyl, etc.), group of formula II (R3 and R4 are H, 1W5C alkyl, 3W7C cycloalkyl, etc.) or group of formula III (R6 and R7 are H or 1W5C alkyl; X is O or S)}.

EXAMPLE: p-(3,3-Dimethyl-2-oxobutoxy)phenylmethanesulfonate.

USE: An agricultural and horticultural fungicide effective to the control of various blights of agricultural and horticultural plants, e.g. damping-off of cucumber, Fusarium yellow of radish, etc.

PREPARATION: The compound of formula I can be prepared either by converting the OH of p-(3,3-dimethyl-2-oxobutoxy)phenol to alkali metal salt, and reacting with alkanesulfonyl chloride, or by reacting a phenolic compound with an alkanesulfonyl chloride in a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran in the presence of a base such as triethylamine.