Aim: To design and synthesize novel AchE inhibitors.
Methods: The condensation of 2-bromo-5, 6-dimethoxy-indan-1-one with various aminoalkyl phenols in the presence of K2CO3 and acetonitrile gave the corresponding title compounds, and the in vitro AchE and BchE inhibitory activities were evaluated by the modified Ellman method.
Results: Sixteen novel target compounds 8a - p were synthesized, their structures were confirmed by 1H NMR, MS, IR and elemental analysis. Preliminary pharmacological test demonstrated that most of these compounds displayed high AchE inhibitory activities, the IC50 of the most potent inhibitor 8h was 50.0 nmol x L(-1), similar to that of Huperzine A (IC50 = 53.0 nmol x L(-1)), while all the compounds were almost inactive against BchE.
Conclusion: 2-Phenoxy-indan-1-one derivatives exhibit high activities of AchE inhibition and are worthy of further investigation.