Dissociatives
Many dissociatives share an arylcyclohexylamine scaffold and NMDA-receptor antagonism, but substitutions alter metabolism, duration, off-target pharmacology and analytical response.
Section 1Ketamine and esketamineA long-established anaesthetic now also has a modern psychiatric evidence base.
Ketamine and esketamine
R,S-ketamine; S-ketamine
Controlled studies have evaluated esketamine in treatment-resistant depression. This evidence is formulation- and protocol-specific and should not be generalized to newer arylcyclohexylamines.
Analytical noteChiral analysis is required when enantiomer composition matters. Include norketamine and other relevant metabolites for biological matrices.
Section 2Newer arylcyclohexylaminesSmall ring and amine changes produce crowded libraries of close analogues.
2F-DCK and DCK
2-Fluorodeschloroketamine; deschloroketamine
2F-DCK has been analytically confirmed in clinical case series, often alongside other ketamine-type compounds. Its metabolite profile helps distinguish exposure from a simple library carry-over.
Analytical noteMeasure parent and proposed metabolites with authenticated material where available; co-detection is common.
3-MeO-PCP, 3-MeO-PCE and MXE
Methoxy arylcyclohexylamines
These compounds remain important in forensic libraries because close structural neighbours may share fragments while differing in retention and toxicological interpretation.
Analytical noteUse more than one transition or spectral feature, plus retention and preferably an orthogonal technique for novel identifications.
References
Historical books are included for provenance. Linked journal records and data services support the modern research and analytical sections.
- Esketamine monotherapy in treatment-resistant depressionJAMA Psychiatry, 2025. PMID 40601310.
- 2F-DCK toxicology and urinary analysisTang et al., Forensic Science International, 2020. PMID 32460225.
- Synthesis and analytical characterization of N-alkyl arylcyclohexylaminesWallach et al., Drug Testing and Analysis, 2016. PMID 26360516.