Design, synthesis, AChE/BChE inhibitory activity, and molecular docking of spiro[chromeno[4,3-b]thieno[3,2-e]pyridine]-7-amine tacrine hybrids

•Twelve examples of novel thiophene tacrine hybrids are obtained in yields up to 33%.•Structural elucidation by NMR, X-ray diffraction and HRMS is presented.•AChE/BChE inhibitory activity evaluation of tacrine hybrids are assayed.•The highest BChE activity is registered for non-substituted thiophene ring.•In vitro and in silico docking studies of new thienospiro tacrines are performed.