Synthesis and biological evaluation as AChE inhibitors of new indanones and thiaindanones related to donepezil

Sixty-four new indanones and thiaindanones related to donepezil were synthesized and evaluated in vitro as potential AChE inhibitors. Among them, 11 derivatives were found to inhibit the enzyme in the submicromolar range; the best compound revealed its inhibitory activity with an IC50 in the same range (0.06 μM) than the reference compound, donepezil (IC50 = 0.02 μM).