Synthesis of novel nicotinohydrazide and (1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine derivatives as potential anticancer agents.

A series of novel nicotinohydrazide derivatives 6a-g and 1,3,4-oxadiazole functionalized pyridine derivatives 7a-k and 8a-d were prepared in series of steps. All the compounds were screened for cytotoxicity against HeLa (cervical), DU145 (prostate), HepG2 (liver) and MBA-MB-231 (breast) human cancer cell lines. Compounds 6h, 6i, 7d, 7h, 7i and 8b which showed promising cytotoxicity at <15μM concentration have been identified. Further optimization of the structure is underway to identify a lead compound.