Crystal structure determinations are reported for 3,9-dimethoxy-2,4,8,10-tetraoxa-3,9-diphosphaspiro[5.5] undecane and 2-oxo-2-(bis-(6-chlorethyl)amino)-4,6-dimethyl-l,3,2-oxazaphosphorinane. Evidence is presented for transannular bond formation upon protonation of 0P(0CH2CH2)3N and SP(0CH2CH2)3N. It is also shown that the phosphoryl oxygen or sulfur is diprotonated at high acid to substrate ratios. The ^^0 NMR data for a series of phosphites and phosphates is correlated with alkyl substitution and ring conformation. A series of unsuccessful attempts to synthesize compounds of the type X(0CH2CH2)3P (X = B, Si, P) are reported. Protonation of P(0CH2CH2)3N by trialkyloxonium tetrafluoborate and methyl triflate is investigated to determine the source of the proton.