Synthesis and characterization of new monothiooxalamides containing pyridine nuclei with promising antiproliferative and antioxidant activity

•Antiproliferative effect, antioxidant activity, chelating activity, DAM and Fukui function of compounds were described.•An optimal structure of monothiooxalamide with promising antiproliferative effect was identified.•The intracellular ROS production in human cancer cell lines seems to be related with the antiproliferative effect exerted by active monothiooxalamide.•Tested compounds are able to exert antioxidant activity by both HAT and SET mechanisms.•The results of in vitro antiradical studies are consistent with DAM in DMSO phase.