Suppressive effects of azobenzene-imidazolium ionic conjugates on human cervical adenocarcinoma cells: Effects of alkyl chains and ortho-fluorination

•Non-fluorinated and difluorinated azobenzene-imidazolium salts were reported.•All salts exhibited excellent cytotoxic effects against human cervical cancer cells.•Fluorination enhanced cytotoxicity of salts but reduced toxicity on normal cells.