Described herein are new phosphonic polymers and methods of making and using the same. The polymers are prepared by the polymerization of phosphonic acid monomers with hypophosphorous acid, an alkali metal hypophosphite, an alkyl substituted hypophosphite, or any combination thereof. The resultant polymers have pendant phosphonate groups attached to the polymer backbone as well as phosphinate groups incorporated within the polymer backbone. Additional monomers can be used to produce copolymers, terpolymers, and the like. The polymers described herein have numerous applications with respect to inhibiting scale formation and corrosion in a number of systems.