Xanthene (9H-xanthene, 10H-9-oxaanthracene) is the organic compound with the formula CH2[C6H4]2O.

It is a yellow solid that is soluble in common organic solvents.

Xanthene itself is an obscure compound, but many of its derivatives are useful dyes.

[4] Dyes that contain a xanthene core include bikaverin, fluorescein, eosins, and rhodamines.

Xanthene dyes tend to be fluorescent, yellow to pink to bluish red, brilliant dyes.