Eleven novel oxiranyl and thiiranyl phenolic compounds were synthesized as potential antitumor agents using epichlorohydrin and epithiohydrin in the presence of $K_2CO_3$. Cytotoxicities were found in range of I$C_{50}$ values of 2.5-14.8 $mu$M, which was partially attributed to topoisomerase II inhibition. Bis-thiiranyl anthraquinone analog, 19 showed more cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 (breast cancer cell) and PC3 (prostate cancer cell) after 24 and/or 48 h and more potent topoisomerase II inhibitory activity than etoposide.