Bisphosphonates: Synthesis, structures, properties, medical and industrial applications

•The synthesis, crystallographic data, complexes in aqueous phase of bisphosphonates (BPs), and solubility data are reviewed.•Industrial applications of BPs as scale and corrosion inhibitors are summarized.•Novel information on the mechanisms of BPs activity, provided by fluorescent-tagged bisphosphonates is described.•A summary of traditional medical applications of BPs is supplemented by their novel applications as nanomaterials.•The future research opportunities and challenges are discussed.