Abstract Preparation of tetraoxaspirophosphorane 5 via two possible routes, starting from the isomeric P (V) precursors 10 and 11 results in identical 31P NMR spectra indicative of various P (III) compounds. By analysis of the products and application of low-temperature 31P NMR techniques it is shown that the phosphorane 5 is involved as an intermediate in the intramolecular transesterification 10⇄ 11. Closure of the six-membered ring in 11 ...