Condensation of dianion 2 derived from aminobenzotriazole 1 with O-benzyl-salicylaldehydes 11 gives intermediate alcohols 12 in good yields. Double hydrogenolysis gives phenols 13 which, upon deprotection and benzyne generation using N-iodosuccinimide, undergo smooth cyclisation to give the iodo-xanthenes 14 in excellent overall yields.