Abstract: The present invention relates to stilbene and quinine compounds related to combretastatin A-4 and their use as anticancer compounds and prodrugs. The compounds include those with an alkyl group on the double bond of cis or trans-stilbenes, compounds with one or more (and preferably 2 or 3) alkyl group substituents on the stilbene a ring, compounds with an alkoxy group other than methoxy at position 3, 4 and/or 5 of the stilbene A ring, compounds (or prodrugs) in which BOC amino acid esters are formed with the phenolic hydroxyl at the 3-position of the B ring and compounds (or prodrugs) based on a benzoquinone B ring. The present invention further relates to the photochemical reactions of stilbene compounds, either the above compounds disclosed for the first time herein or compounds based on prior art stilbenes.