The carrier-free synthesis of 4-(5',6',7',8'-tetrahydro-4'-[I-125]iodo-5', 5',8',8'-tetramethyl-2'-anthracenyl)benzoic acid (4'-[I-125]TTAB) is described. Site specific radioiodination was accomplished by electrophilic destannylation of the tri(n-butyl)tin analog of the retinoid with (NaI)-I-125 and chloramine-T. 4'-[I-125]TTAB (33 muCi, 1.65% radiochemical yield based on (NaI)-I-125 consumed) was purified by reversed-phase HPLC.