2C-T

2C-T is the parent of the 2C-T sulfur-containing subfamily, bearing a methylthio group at the 4-position of the 2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine scaffold. In vitro it acts as a high-affinity partial agonist at 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors, and in the mouse head-twitch assay the unsubstituted parent shows relatively low potency that increases when the 4-alkylthio chain is extended, tracking the known structure-activity relationships of the class. A distinguishing pharmacological feature of the 2C-T drugs is their potential to inhibit monoamine oxidase, which underlies the recognized concern about combining them with MAO inhibitors or serotonergic agents. Like other 4-thio compounds it tends toward slow onset and long duration, and the subfamily has been associated with serious toxicity, including a fatal case involving the related 2C-T-7 that prompted development of dedicated forensic quantitation methods.