Synthetic methodology has been established suitable for the preparation of combretastatin A- 1 (CA1) and its corresponding phosphate prodrug salt (CA1P) in high specific activity radiolabeled form. Judicious selection of appropriate phenolic protecting groups to distinguish positions on the A-ring from the B-ring of the stilbenoid was paramount for the success of this project. Methylation of the C-4′ phenolic moiety by removal of the tert- ...