Synthesis and biological evaluation of 1,3-Indandione derivatives as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors

The synthesis and activity of 1,3-indandione derivatives asacetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors are reported. The synthetic keystepconsists of the Knovenagel olefination between 1,3-indandioneand a substituted (1-benzylpiperidin-4-yl)methanal followed byselective double bond reduction. AChE inhibitory activity wasmeasured by a quick fluorimetric method. One of the new compoundsshowed a significant interaction with the enzyme. Molecular modellingstudies were performed in order to propose the binding modes withinthe AChE gorge compared to the known inhibitor Donepezil.