2,3-Oxaphosphabicyclo[2.2.2]-oct-5-ene 3-oxide derivatives with Et2N- or Mesityl NH groups on phosphorus undergo fragmentation readily when irradiated at -75°C in tetrahydrofuran. The solutions give 31P NMR signals at δ +12 and +9, respectively, which are attributed to solvated metaphosphoramidates (RR'N-PO2). These are rapidly converted to phosphoramidates (EtO-P(O)(OH)(NRR') on addition of ethanol. © 1990.