New 9-anthrylalkyl compounds having the general formula ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen or an alkyl group, whereby, however, not more than one of the groups R is an alkyl group; R.sub.1 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, halogen or nitro; n is an integer of from 1 to 7, whereby, however, the total number of carbon atoms in the group --CHR--(CHR).sub.n -- does not exceed 8; and X is halogen, an azide group or a succinimidyl group.The new compounds are prepared from 9-anthrylalcohols which are reacted with a compound X--CO--X wherein X is a halogen, and then optionally with compounds giving azide or succinimidyl group. The compounds are used as derivatization reagents for separation and detection purposes.Intermediates for preparation of the above defined 9-anthrylalkyl compounds wherein one R is an alkyl group are 9-anthrylalcohols with the group --CHR--(CHR).sub.n --OH, wherein one R is an alkyl group.