An efficient procedure has been proposed for the synthesis of quasiphosphonium salts, 2,2-dialkyl-6-chloro-4-phenyl-2 H-1,2-benzoxaphosphinin-2-onium chlorides, via cyclization of dialkyl[2-(5-chloro-2-hydroxyphenyl)-2-phenylethenyl]phosphine oxides under the action of thionyl chloride.