Simultaneous quantitative determination of 2-fluoro-2-oxo-phenylcyclohexylethylamine, methylenedioxymethamphetamine and ketamine in postmortem blood using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
Meejung Park, Sungmin Moon, Nahyun Lee, Jihyun Kim
Forensic toxicology January 1, 2026 DOI: 10.1007/s11419-025-00743-2 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA validated method using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with solid-phase extraction was developed for simultaneously quantifying 2F-2-oxo-PCE, MDMA, MDA, ketamine, and norketamine in postmortem blood. The method showed satisfactory linearity, accuracy, precision, matrix effect, and recovery. In autopsy cases, 2F-2-oxo-PCE concentrations ranged from 664 to 7911 ng/mL. Concurrent detection with MDMA and ketamine suggested possible polydrug use contributing to fatal outcomes. This is the first forensic toxicological detection of 2F-2-oxo-PCE in autopsy cases, providing critical baseline data for interpreting intoxications involving this emerging dissociative substance.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Method validation and case series Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Postmortem blood samples from autopsy cases in South Korea |
| Topics | Ketamine MDMA |
| Keywords | 2f-2-oxo-pce Lc-ms/ms Postmortem |
| Key finding | 2F-2-oxo-PCE concentrations in postmortem blood ranged from 664 to 7911 ng/mL, with concurrent detection of MDMA and ketamine suggesting polydrug use in fatal outcomes. |
Abstract
The abuse of 2-fluoro-2-oxo-phenylcyclohexylethylamine (2F-2-oxo-PCE), a dissociative anesthetic structurally related to phencyclidine (PCP) and ketamine, has recently increased in South Korea. This study presented the first forensic toxicological detection of 2F-2-oxo-PCE in autopsy cases and described a validated method for the simultaneous quantification of 2F-2-oxo-PCE, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), ketamine, and norketamine in postmortem blood. 2F-2-oxo-PCE and its metabolite, 2F-deschloronorketamine (2F-DCNK) were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with solid-phase extraction (SPE) was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of 2F-2-oxo-PCE, MDMA, MDA, ketamine and norketamine in blood. The validation parameters including linearity, accuracy, precision, matrix effect, and recovery were satisfactory. In postmortem blood samples, 2F-2-oxo-PCE concentrations ranged from 664 to 7911 ng/mL. Concurrent detection with MDMA and ketamine suggested possible polydrug use contributing to fatal outcomes. The validated LC-MS/MS method is suitable for forensic applications and may enhance the toxicological profiling of emerging dissociative substances. The results can provide critical baseline data for interpreting 2F-2-oxo-PCE-related intoxications.