Xanthodilol, mono- and dioxygenated xanthones, and 1,3-, 2,3-, 3,4-, 3,5-, 1,6-, 2,6- and 3,6-dioxygenated xanthones were synthesized from benzophenone precursors by Friedel-Crafts acylation and subsequent base-catalyzed cyclization to eliminate methanol. 3-Hydroxy-xanthone, xanthodilol, 2,3-dihydroxyxanthone diacetate, and 3,4-dihydroxyxanthone and its diacetate showed potent antiplatelet effects on arachidonate- and collagen-induced aggregation. 3,5-Dihydroxyxanthone and its diacetate, 1,6-dimethoxyxanthone, and 3,6-dihydroxyxanthone and its diacetate showed potent antiplatelet effects on arachidonate-induced aggregation.