3,4-Dichloromethylphenidate

3,4-dichloromethylphenidate (abbreviated as 3,4-DCMP, and incorrectly as 3,4-CTMP for the d,l-threo diastereomer) is a potent stimulant drug from the phenidate class, closely related to methylphenidate. It acts as a potent serotonin-norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor, with a long duration of action. It has been sold online as a designer drug.

Chemistry
3,4-DCMP is an analogue of methylphenidate which was chlorinated at the meta- and para- positions on the phenyl ring. This results in dramatically increased potency, duration, and a huge increase in affinity for the serotonin transporter and serotonin uptake inhibition. Serotoninergic activity among phenidates is very rare, and 3,4-DCMP is one of only three compounds from this class with appreciable serotoninergic activity, the other two being HDMP-28 & HDEP-28. The reason for the serotoninergic activity of all three compounds is a bulky aryl ring (in the case of the aforementioned compounds, a 2-naphthalene ring) which mimicks the bicyclic indole ring system of serotonin.

Pharmacokinetics
3,4-DCMP most likely follows a similar metabolic fate as methylphenidate, primarily through hydrolysis of the ester bond into 3,4-dichloro-ritalinic acid, which is then primarly excreted in urine.

Pharmacodynamics
3,4-CTMP, the d,l-threo diastereomer of 3,4-DCMP, is approximately seven times more potent than methylphenidate in animal studies, but has weaker reinforcing effects due to its slower onset of action. However, H. M. Deutsch's discrimination ratio implies it to be more reinforcing than cocaine.


 * 1 This is an abbreviation of the d,l-erythro diastereomer of 3,4-DCMP.
 * 2 This is an abbreviation of d,l-threomethylphenidate, more widely known by its brand name Ritalin.

Legality
As of October 2015 3,4-CTMP is a controlled substance in China.

3,4-CTMP was banned in the UK as a Temporary Class Drug from April 2015 following its unapproved sale as a designer drug.

Sweden's public health agency suggested to classify 3,4-CTMP as hazardous substance on 10 November 2014.