Starting from a screening-hit compound, via structure modifications and optimizations, a series of nonfused and nonassembly pyrimidinylthiourea derivatives (2–5) was designed, synthesized, and evaluated as novel multifunctional agents against Alzheimer’s disease. Biological activity results demonstrated that compounds 5r and 5t exhibited potent inhibition and excellent selectivity toward acetylcholinesterase (AChE, 5r, IC50 = 0.204 μM, SI > 196; 5t, IC50 = 0.067 μM, SI > 597), specific metal-chelating ability, significant antioxidant effects, modulation of metal-induced Aβ aggregation, inhibition of ROS production by copper redox cycle, low cytotoxicity, and moderate neuroprotection to human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Moreover, compound 5r displayed appropriate blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability both in vitro and in vivo and could improve memory and cognitive function of scopolamine-induced amnesia mice. The multifunctional profiles of 5r and its effectivity in AD mice highlight these structurally distinct pyrimidinylthiourea derivatives as prospective prototypes in the research of innovative multifunctional drugs for Alzheimer’s disease.

An efficient approach for the synthesis of biologically interesting unnatural amino-acids containing 3-hydrooxindole skeleton has been developed. The strategy features a catalyst-free, one-pot, three-component process involving the formation of two new quaternary centers in high yields and with a broad substrate scope.