Synthesis and biological activity of new bispyridinium salts of 4,4′-bispyridyl-5,5′-perfluoroalkyl-2,2′-bisoxazoles

► A series of 16 bispyridinium salts have been synthesized. ► Antitumor and inhibitory activities were tested against HT29 and ChoK respectively. ►  The higher antitumor activity was showed by compound 3a (IC50 = 0.84 μM). ► Compound 3g showed the higher inhibitory activity (IC50 = 0.3 μM). ► In both tests, the best results were obtained by derivatives bearing spacer p-biphenyl.