Xanthone

noun

1. Dihydroxybenzophenone anhydrid; a colorless compound, , prepared by the oxidation of methylenedipheny-lene oxid. It crystallizes in long needles, melts at 173–174° C., boils at 349–350° C., is volatile with steam, and is the parent substance of a considerable number of natural coloring matters.
2. An aromatic ketone, 9-oxo-xanthene, that is used as an insecticide.