2-OXO-PCE: Chemical Profile, Research Data, Effects & Safety

2-Oxo-PCE is a synthetic arylcyclohexylamine new psychoactive substance (NPS). It is identified by researchers and forensic labs as a ketamine analogue and has also been called O-PCE, eticyclidone, and deschloro-N-ethyl-ketamine. The absence of research and the reported cases of severe intoxication related to the compound indicate that it should not be treated as an ordinary pharmaceutical or dietary product.

What is 2-oxo-propionyl coenzyme A (2-oxo-PCE)?

2-OXO-PCE is a synthetic arylcyclohexylamine derivative related to other dissociatives. Its systematic chemical name is 2- (ethylamino)-2-phenylcyclohexan-1-one.

PubChem reports the compound has a molecular formula of C14H19NO and a molecular weight of about 217.31 g/mol. The chemical identifiers are InChIKey IDLSBAANXISGEI-UHFFFAOYSA-N.

2-OXO-PCE is not an approved medicine. Scientists usually refer to it in research on new psychoactive substances and forensic toxicology.

Chemical Classification:

2-OXO-PCE is a member of the arylcyclohexylamine chemical family. This family comprises compounds that have structural relationships to ketamine and phencyclidine.

The compound is also a ketamine derivative and a dissociative anesthetic-related substance, according to the MeSH system of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

KETAMINE AND 2-OXOPCE

2-OXO-PCE is often referred to as a ketamine analogue as the compounds share important structural features. This does not, however, mean that 2-OXO-PCE is medically equivalent to ketamine.

Ketamine has established medical uses and a much larger research base. In contrast, little is known about the pharmacological profile, long-term effects and safety profile of 2-OXO-PCE in humans.

So people should not assume that information about medically supervised ketamine treatment applies to 2-OXO-PCE.

Research and Toxicology Findings

Researchers conducting forensic and clinical toxicology investigations of suspected new psychoactive substance exposures first detected 2-OXOPCE. In 2018, researchers reported a cluster of 56 cases of acute poisoning associated with the compound in Hong Kong.

Reported clinical findings were impaired consciousness, confusion, abnormal behaviour, increased blood pressure, rapid heart rate and convulsions. A few patients needed intensive care. These results demonstrate why researchers regard this compound as a major toxicological concern.

Detection Is Difficult

An important toxicology finding was that routine ketamine immunoassay testing did not necessarily detect 2-OXO-PCE. Therefore, researchers turned to more sophisticated analytical techniques, such as chromatography and mass spectrometry, to identify the substance.

This distinction is important because a negative routine screening result does not necessarily exclude exposure to a structurally related new psychoactive substance.

Possible health effects

There is insufficient evidence to determine a safe recreational dose or a reliable safety threshold for 2-OXOPCE. Therefore it would be misleading and potentially dangerous to offer a guide to dosing.

Reported cases of intoxication have included:

• Altered consciousness
• Disarray
• Strange Behaviour
• High Blood Pressure
• Rapid heart rate
• Seizures

Other psychoactive substances have been identified in combination with 2-OxoPCE in the reported cases. This can make intoxication less predictable and make medical assessment more difficult.

Why More Study Is Needed

Metabolism and identification of new psychoactive substances are still under investigation. A study in 2025 examined the metabolic profile of 2-OXOPCE and identified several metabolic pathways in experimental models, which provided more information for forensic identification.

But laboratory results do not automatically translate into clinical safety. More research is needed to elucidate the pharmacology, metabolism, toxicity, interactions and possible long-term effects.

Conclusion:

2-OxoPCE is a new arylcyclohexylamine psychoactive substance and ketamine analogue with limited established safety information. Chemical databases report its structure and molecular properties, and toxicology studies report serious cases of acute intoxication.

2-OXOPCE deserves attention in educational, forensic, and scientific contexts instead of being promoted as a medicine or wellness product. Individuals who might have been exposed and exhibit severe confusion, loss of consciousness, abnormal behaviour, very high blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, or seizures must seek urgent evaluation from a medical professional.

FAQs

Is ketamine 2-oxo-PCE?

2-OXOPCE is another synthetic compound, related to ketamine in structure. The two substances have a similar chemical structure but are not medically interchangeable.

What are other names of 2-oxoPCE?

People also know it by the common names O-PCE, eticyclidone, and deschloroketamine.

2OXOPCE has the chemical formula C6H6Cl4O.

Molecular formula: C14H19NO. Molecular weight: ~217.31 g/mol.

How well is 2-OXOPCE studied?

None. Information about 2OXOPCE remains limited compared to established medicines such as ketamine. Existing literature particularly highlights forensic detection, metabolism and acute toxicity.

Is 2-OXO-PCE safe to use?

There’s insufficient evidence to say it’s safe. There have been reports of poisoning leading to serious neurological and cardiovascular effects such as impaired consciousness, hypertension, tachycardia and convulsions.