Activation of different benzophenone derivatives with triflic anhydride for electrophilic aromatic substitution of 5-phenylbarbituric acids leads to regioselective formation of the ortho-substituted product. The resulting triphenylmethylium salt can be isolated when the Michlers ketone is used. More electrophilic cations form cyclic enol ethers such as 1-n-butyl-9,9-diaryl-1,9-dihydro-10-oxa-1,3-diazaphenanthrene-2,4-diones. Alternatively, supramolecular complex formation with 2,6-diacetamido pyridine as well as carbenium ion generation have been studied. Although in dilute acid only protonation of one of the carbonyl oxygens occurs, ring opening of the cyclic enol ether toward the carbenium ion is observed in 96% sulfuric acid.