1,3-Dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (DBH) and benzyltriphenylphosphoniumtribromide (BTPTB) were used as efficient catalysts for the promotion of the synthesis of 1,8-dioxo-octahydroxanthene derivatives (DOXOs) via a one-pot three component condensation of aldehydes and cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds in the absence of solvent.