A number of epimeric pairs of 3-X-3-Y-cis-2,4-dioxa-3-phosphabicyclo[4.3.0]nonanes (2, X = OCH3, Y = 0; 3, X = OCH3, Y = S; 4, X = OPh, Y = O; 5, X = OPh, Y = S; 6, X = Cl, Y = 0; 7, X = Cl, Y = S; 8, X = N(CH3)2, Y = 0; 9, X = N(CH3)2 Y = S; 10, X = S-, Y = 0; 11, X = 0-, Y = 0) has been prepared as model compounds for 3',5'-xylo-cAMP (1). The influence of the nature and orientation of the exocyclic phosphorus substituents on the phosphate ring conformation has been determined by 1H NMR. It is shown that the cis phosphates 2a-7a and the trans phosphates 8b and 9b populate the same chair conformation as was found for 3',5'-xylo-cAMP. However, the phosphate rings of their epimers exist as an equilibrium between this chair conformation and a ...