Sulfanilamjdes mere found to undergo alkylation with xanthydrul, yielding either mono-or di-xanthenyl derivatives. The site of substitution, common t o all sulfanilamides having a free p-amino group, was shown t o be the K4-position in the sulfanilamide molecule. Three additional unique reactive sites were observed. Sulfanilamides carrying a thiazole, thiadiazole, or pyridazine substituent in the N1-position were also alkylated on the annular nitrogen atom oi the heterocyclic ring, the reaction having occurred from the imido tautomeric form. Sulfisoxazole (Ik), on the other hand, reacted from the amido form t o give the N1,N4-dixanthenyl derivative. Sulfadimethoxine (Ih) mas substituted a t carbon, as well as a t nitrogen, t o yield N4-xantheny1-1\-'-(2,6-dimethoxy-5-(9-xanthenyl)-4-pyrjmidyl)sulfanilamide.Sulfanilamides possessing pK, values of about 5.5 were found t o be sufficiently acidic t o catalyze their own reaction with xanthydrol. and no external catalqst was necessary. The exceptional ease of formation of the xanthylium ion was postulated t o be associated with the resulting stability of this carbonium ion by virtue of its acquired aromatic character.