Synthesis, biochemical and computational evaluations of novel bis-acylhydrazones of 2,2′-(1,1′-biphenyl)-4,4′-diylbis(oxy))di(acetohydrazide) as dual cholinesterase inhibitors

•A novel series bis-acylhydrazones of 2,2′-([1,1′-biphenyl]-4,4′-diylbis(oxy))di(acetohydrazide) (1–27) was synthesized.•The structures were confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and ESI-MS.•All compounds displayed significant acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase inhibition.•Molecular docking studies were performed to establish their structure–activity relationship and binding interaction at atomic level.