Methods for synthesizing and purifying 2-aryl-3,3-bis(4-hydroxyaryl)phthalimidine compounds are provided. The method includes heating a reaction mixture including a phenolphthalein, a primary aryl amine, and an acid catalyst to form a phthalimidine; precipitating the phthalimidine from the reaction mixture to provide a crude phthalimidine; providing a solution including the crude phthalimidine, an additive, and at least one solvent; contacting the solution with one or more purification agents to provide a treated solution; precipitating and recovering a phthalimidine adduct from the treated solution; and recovering a purified phthalimidine compound from the adduct.