New 3,4′-bipyridines and thieno[2,3-b:5,4-c′]dipyridines and their antiprotozoal and anticellular potencies

New derivatives with a 3,4′-bipyridine and a thieno[2,3- b :5,4- c ′]dipyridine skeleton were prepared containing a double bond system which is also part of other heterocyclic compounds with reported antiprotozoal activity. The structures were established and compounds characterized using one- and two-dimensional NMR measurements as well as high resolution mass spectrometry and by FT-IR. The target compounds were investigated for their antiplasmodial and antitrypanosomal properties as well as their cytotoxicity using microplate assays. Their antileukemic properties and their cytotoxicity against human lung fibroblasts were determined using an XTT assay. The biological activities are discussed.