Several acetyl-protected hydroxybenzyl diethyl phosphates (EHBPs) that are capable of forming quinone methide intermediates were synthesized and their cell growth inhibitory properties were evaluated in four different human cancer cell lines. Compounds 1, 1a, and 1b, corresponding to (4-acetyloxybenzyl diethylphosphate),(3-methyl-4-acetyloxybenzyl diethylphosphate), and (3-chloro-4-acetyloxybenzyl diethylphosphate), were significantly ...