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| Formula | C13H16FNO |
| Molar mass | 221.275 g·mol−1 |
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2-Fluorodeschloroketamine (also known as2'-Fl-2-Oxo-PCM,fluoroketamine, and2-FDCK) is adissociativeanesthetic[1] related toketamine. Its sale and use as adesigner drug has been reported in various countries.[2][3][4] It is an analogue of ketamine where thechlorine group has been replaced byfluorine. Due to its recent emergence, the pharmacological specifics of the compound are mostly unclear, but effects are reported to be similar to its parent compound, ketamine.
The synthesis of 2-FDCK was first described in a 2013 paper as part of a larger effort to synthesize and evaluate new anesthetic drugs based on ketamine and its analogues.[1] Ketamine itself was first introduced in 1964 and was approved for clinical use in 1970. Since then it has become one of the most important and applicable general anesthetics as well as a popular recreational drug.
The use of 2-FDCK as a research chemical has been reported in various countries.[2][5][6] Many of these new psychoactive substances (NPS) appear on the drug market in order to circumvent existing drug policies. 2-FDCK was first formally notified by theEMCDDA in 2016, alongside 65 other new substances.[6] Due to its recent appearance, little research has been done on the compound so far.
In January 2023, Israeli Biotech company "Clearmind Medicine Inc." announced the successful completion of a preclinical study examining 2-FDCK in a rat model of depression, with the compound outperforming ketamine in longevity of antidepressant effect.[7]
The full chemical name of 2-FDCK is 2-(2-fluorophenyl)-2-(methylamino)cyclohexan-1-one.
2-FDCK belongs to a class of compounds calledarylcyclohexylamines which contains various other drugs such asPCP andketamine. Their general structure consists of acyclohexylamine unit with anaryl group attached to the same carbon as theamine. 2-FDCK has an o-fluorophenyl group as an aryl substituent and the amine group is methylated. The cyclohexyl ring features aketone group next to the amine position.
The chemical structure of 2-FDCK differs from ketamine only in that there is a fluorine atom attached to the phenyl group. Ketamine has a chlorine atom in that position.[8]
2-FDCK can be synthesized in a five-step reaction process.[1] First 2-fluorobenzonitrile reacts with theGrignard reagent cyclopentyl magnesium bromide followed by abromination reaction to obtain α-bromocyclopentyl-(2-fluorophenyl)-ketone. The reaction of the obtained ketone with methylamine at −40 °C then results in the formation of α-hydroxycyclopentyl-(2-fluorophenyl)-N-methylamine. Finally, the five-membered ring cyclopentanol form is expanded to a cyclohexylketone form by a thermal rearrangement reaction.HCl is used to create a water-soluble HCl salt of 2-FDCK.
2-FDCK and its metabolites can be detected inurine with the use of liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC/MS).[4][9]
The metabolism of 2-FDCK is analogous to that of ketamine: the enzymesCYP2B6 andCYP3A4, the latter to a lesser extent, metabolise 2-FDCK to Nor-2FDCK viaN-demethylation. This is further metabolised either to dehydronor-2FDCK by CYP2B6 or to hydroxynor-2FDCK byCYP2A6 and CYP2B6.[3]
In general, the 2-FDCK equivalent shows strongerdocking to CYP2B6 in simulations, as well as slower metabolism rate, than the more well-known ketamine. Thelipophilicity is observed to be lower for 2-FDCK than for ketamine.[3]In vitro to in vivo extrapolation predicts that in the body, 2-FDCK shows a lower intrinsic hepaticclearance than ketamine. Both of these characteristics would suggest that the effects of 2-FDCK last longer than those of ketamine.[2]
2-FDCK is structurally similar to ketamine, so a similar mechanism of action is expected,[10] but there has been no study done to confirm this. Due to the halogen in the 2 position not being a chlorine but a fluorine, the molecule is more polar.[3] This could influencebinding to proteins, such as theNMDA receptor that ketamine primarily binds to and acts as anantagonist towards.
For general (halogen) substitutions of ketamine, docking strength for CYP2B6 follows the pattern H < Br < Cl < F. The parameter of internal clearance follows the pattern Br > Cl > F > H. Lastly, Km (Michaelis constant) follows the pattern of Br < Cl < F < H, and as such the in-vitro metabolism rate follows the inverse pattern, namely Br > Cl > F > H.[4]
In 2019, 2-FDCK was found in poisoned individuals in Hong Kong in combination with other ketamine-type drugs.[4]
Due to the fast emergence ofNPS, new substances such as 2-FDCK are often not yet specifically mentioned incontrolled substance legislation. As a result,NPS are sometimes marketed as "legal highs". 2-FDCK is currently illegal in Italy[11] Japan,[12] Latvia,[13] Singapore,[14] Sweden,[15] Switzerland,[16] as well as being covered by blanket bans in Canada,[17] Belgium,[18] and the UK.[19]
In October 2023 theECDD recommended that 2-FDCK be added to Schedule II of theConvention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971.[20]
As of February 2026 2F-DCK is banned in the Netherlands and not sold anymore.by research chemical shops, being replaced by2F-NENDCK.[21]
On January 20, 2026 the DEA announced a temporary order to add 2-FDCK to Schedule 1 under the Controlled Substances Act on or after February 19, 2026.[22]
