The search for bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties is critical in combating oxidative stress-related diseases and advancing novel therapeutic agents. Azo dyes, traditionally used in textiles, food, and cosmetics, have recently attracted attention due to their emerging biological activities, including antioxidant potential. In this study, we synthesized and characterized 267 azo dyes derived from natural phenolic cores such as salicylic acid, syringol, and 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthol. Eighteen of these compounds are novel. Structural characterization was performed using NMR, UV-Vis, IR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. Antioxidant activity was assessed using in vitro assays with ABTS radical scavenging method. SAR analysis revealed that dyes derived from syringol and 5, 6, 7, 8-tetrahydro-2-naphthol showed the most consistent and potent antioxidant activity. Notably, azo dyes bearing fluoro and nitro substituents in the para position exhibited the lowest IC50 values, highlighting the influence of electron-withdrawing groups and substitution patterns on antioxidant behavior. This work establishes a precedent for SAR-driven evaluation of azo dyes using ABTS and supports their further exploration as functional antioxidant agents in medicinal chemistry.
Rodríguez-Vargas et al. (Tue,) studied this question.