The mass spectral fragmentation pathways of pentacoordinate spirobicyclic imino(alkyl)acetoxyphosphoranes were investigated by field desorption, electron impact and chemical ionization mass spectrometry, together with the B/E linked scan technique. The three methods gave abundant characteristic fragment ion information, showing some common and different fragmentation patterns which could be useful for characterizing other spirobicyclic phosphoranes. Scheme 1. Synthetic pathway for pentacoordinate spirobicyclic 1,3,2-imino(alkyl)acetoxyphosphoranes.