Synthesis 2018; 50(21): 4201-4215
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1609935
short review
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Syntheses of Ketamine and Related Analogues: A Mini Review

Ivaylo Dimitrov
,
William A. Denny
,
Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand   Email: j.jose@auckland.ac.nz
› Author Affiliations
The authors thank the Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre for their generous financial support.
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 18 June 2018

Accepted after revision: 27 July 2018

Publication Date:
20 August 2018 (online)


Abstract

Ketamine [2-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(methylamino)cyclohexanone] is a dissociative anaesthetic, first developed in 1963 by Parke-Davis. It finds widespread application in the treatment of battlefield injuries, and in emergency departments for use in children. In recent times the clinical interest in ketamine has increased due to the positive impact it has in treating depression and the rapid onset of its antidepressant effect. This review covers the synthetic effort towards ketamine and related analogues over the past 60 years to give readers an overview of past, current, and future research outlook pertaining to ketamine-like molecules.

1 Introduction

2 Early Work

3 Synthesis

3.1 Ketamine

3.2 Norketamine

3.3 Ketamine Analogues

4 Future Outlook and Conclusion