Abstract The unambiguous synthesis of three naturally occurring and biologically active xanthone 1‐ O and 8‐ O ‐β‐ D ‐glucosides of 5‐ O ‐methyl‐ and de‐ O ‐methylbellidifolin ( 2–4 ) was accomplished. The protected xanthone aglycones having only a single reactive OH group were prepared by selective benzylation, methylation, and debenzoylation reactions. An unexpected stability of the 1‐MeO group towards demethylation was observed.