The strong influence of a chalcogen atom (O, S, Se) attached to phosphorus on the spin-spin coupling constant 1J(P-15N) in the family of diastereoisomeric 2-|15N] -phenyl-amino-2X(X = O, S, Se)-4-methyl-l,3,2-dioxaphosphorinanes is demonstrated. The 15N/14N isotope effect on the nuclear shielding of phosphorus-31 is larger for the shorter equatorial than for the longer axial P-N bonds.