Copper-catalyzed condensation of 2-methyl-5-nitrophenol (I) with 2-chlorobenzoic acid (II) in hot nitrobenzene afforded the diphenyl ether (III). Subsequent cyclization of (III) by means of polyphosphoric acid gave 4-methyl-1-nitro-9H-9-xanthenone (IV). Benzylic bromination of (IV) with N-bromosuccinimide furnished bromide (V). This was finally condensed with imidazole in refluxing acetonitrile to yield the title compound.