The reaction of 1-methyl-4-chloropiperidine (I) with 2-chloro-9-xanthone (II) by means of Mg in THF gives 9-(1-methyl-4-piperidyl)-2-chloroxanthene-9-ol (III), which is dehydrated by reaction with p-sulfobenzoic anhydride (IV) in refluxing propionic acid and finally treated with methane sulfonic acid.