N,N'-Bridged-Bis[;2-alkyl-2-Hydroxyethylamine];salts of the formula HOR'R'OH R-CH-CH2-N-X-N-CH2-CH-R are prepared by condensing an epoxide of the formula O R-CH-CH2 and a diamine of the formula R'NH-X-NHR'. The products and dicarbanilates, acid-addition salts, N,N'-dioxides and N,N'-diammonium quaternary salts derived therefrom have antibacterial activity in vitro and are useful as antibacterial agents.