Synthesis and Anticholinesterase Activity of 3-{[4-Methyl-3-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)]pent-1-en-1-yl}-4 H -chromen-4-ones

A procedure has been developed and optimized for the synthesis of 3-{[4-methyl-3-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)]pent-1-en-1-yl}-4 H -chromen-4-ones (as dihydrochlorides) by an unusual version of the Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction. A number of the title compounds with various substituents in the chromene fragment and their deamination products have been synthesized, and their inhibitory activity against butyrylcholinesterase has been studied.