2-(2,4,6-Tri-tert-butylphenyl)-1-phosphaethyne was allowed to react with 0.5 eq. of alkyllithium to afford 2,4-bis(2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl)-1,3-diphosphacyclobutenes through an intramolecular cyclisation of a 1,3-diphosphabuta-1,3-diene intermediate.