A general synthetic route has been developed for the synthesis of 1, 8-Dioxooctahydroxanthenes from 5, 5-dimethyl-1, 3-cyclohexadione and aromatic aldehydes by using Diacetoxy iodobenzene (DIB) as a catalyst in aqueous media. The experimental procedure is very simple, environmentally friendliness, which requires shorter reaction time with good to excellent yields.
