It has been clarified that the application of acetyl or propionyl chloride to p, p′-ditolyl ether, in the presence of aluminum chloride, results in intermediate formation of the corresponding 2, 7-dimethyl-9-alkylxanthenol and that the reaction proceeds further with occurrence of various side-reactions. In this case, application of phenylacetyl chloride was found to give 2, 7-dimethyl-9-benzalxanthene, m.p. 103-105°, in a good yield.
