Efficient synthesis and evaluation of novel 6-arylamino-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine derivatives as antiproliferative agents

•A series of new 6-arylamino-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine were synthesized following our prior work.•8 l significantly broadened antitumor spectrum when compared with the lead compound 6.•8 l exhibited potent and broad-spectrum antiproliferative activity on tested cell lines.•8 l dose-dependently caused G2/M phase arrest and induced cell apoptosis in HeLa cells.