Exploring the Anticancer, Antibacterial Potency, and Molecular Docking of Synthesized Azo‐Ether and Azo‐Sulfone Compounds

Abstract This study presents efficient synthesis and characterization of two compounds; a bis azo ether (4) and a bis azo sulfone (7), obtaining via a fast, easy, and high‐yield method. The synthesis involved diazotization of 4,4′‐oxydianiline (for product 4) or 4,4‐sulfonyldianiline (for product 7) in a cold acidic medium, followed by coupling with 2‐naphthol in a cold basic medium. The synthesis of the products were characterized by (IR, UV, 1 HNMR, 13 CNMR, and elemental analysis). Both targeted compounds exhibited significant biological activity, demonstrating potent anticancer effects against breast cancer cells (MCF‐7) with IC 50 values of 6.06 and 5.696, and reduce the survival rate of lung cancer cells (A549) by IC 50 values of 6.372 and 5.768 for compounds 4 and 7, respectively. Moreover, the products showed strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus . Computational studies supported the experimental findings, suggesting their potential as promising dual‐action anticancer and antibacterial agents.