prepared by the reaction of xanthene with N-bromosuccinimide. Hydrolysis of 1 with 5% NaOH yields 3-[(9H-xanthen-9-yl)aminocarbonyl]propionic acid (3a). The corresponding methyl ester 3c is obtained from 3a by the action of diazomethane. The butanol derivative 4a can be obtained by reduction of 3a or 3c with LiAlH4. Treatment of 1 with LiAlH4 yields the pyrrolidine derivative 5. N-(9H-Xanthen-9-yl)phthalimide