Ketamine HCl

Product Name: Ketamine HCl (Ketamine Hydrochloride) Synonyms: 2-(2-Chlorophenyl)-2-(methylamino)cyclohexan-1-one hydrochloride; Ketalar; Ketaset; CI-581

General Description: Ketamine is formally described as 2-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(methylamino)cyclohexan-1-one. It is a synthetic, psychoactive molecule belonging to the arylcyclohexylamine class. Originally synthesized in 1962 as a safer alternative to phencyclidine (PCP), it is widely utilized in human and veterinary medicine for the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia. More recently, it has gained significant clinical attention for its rapid-acting antidepressant properties. Conversely, it is also widely encountered in forensic casework as an illicit recreational drug (colloquially known as “Special K”) sought for its dissociative and hallucinogenic effects.

In analytical, clinical, and forensic toxicology, ketamine hydrochloride is utilized as a fundamental reference standard. It is essential for the calibration of analytical instrumentation (such as LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, and HPLC) and the development of screening methodologies to identify and quantify the substance in seized street drugs, adulterated formulations, or biological matrices (e.g., whole blood, plasma, urine).

Technical Information (Hydrochloride Salt):

• CAS Number: 1867-66-9 (Hydrochloride) / 6740-88-1 (Freebase)
• Molecular Formula: C₁₃H₁₆ClNO • HCl
• Formula Weight: 274.2 g/mol
• SMILES: CNC1(CCCCC1=O)C2=CC=CC=C2Cl.Cl
• InChI Key: PNVTZKCHTOVYHO-UHFFFAOYSA-N (Freebase)
• Formulation: Typically supplied as a neat white crystalline solid or as a certified reference material solution (e.g., 1 mg/mL or 100 µg/mL in methanol).

Biological Action: Ketamine acts primarily as an uncompetitive antagonist at the ionotropic N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, a subtype of glutamate receptor. Its blockade of the NMDA receptor heavily mediates its characteristic state of “dissociative anesthesia,” which presents as profound analgesia, sensory isolation, catalepsy, and amnesia, remarkably while preserving spontaneous respiration and protective airway reflexes. In addition to NMDA antagonism, ketamine interacts with a variety of other central targets, including weak actions at opioid receptors, monoamine transporters, and hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels, which contribute to its complex neuropharmacological and cardiovascular profile.

Regulatory and Safety Information:

• Intended Use: This product is intended strictly for use as an analytical reference standard for forensic, toxicological, and academic research purposes.
• Warning: This product is not for human or veterinary administration outside of strictly approved clinical or laboratory environments.
• Legal Status: Ketamine is heavily regulated globally. In the United States, it is classified as a Schedule III Controlled Substance under the Controlled Substances Act due to its recognized potential for abuse and psychological dependence. Procurement of bulk solid material requires an active Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration or an equivalent national license. However, highly dilute solutions (e.g., 1 mg/mL in methanol) are often formulated and sold as DEA-exempt preparations to qualified diagnostic and forensic laboratories. Handling should only occur within professional laboratory environments using appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).