2C (psychedelics)

2C is a general name for the family of psychedelic phenethylamines containing methoxy groups on the 2 and 5 positions of the benzene ring. Most of these compounds also carry lipophilic substituents at the 4 position, usually resulting in more potent and more metabolically stable and longer acting compounds. Most of the currently known 2C compounds were first synthesized by Alexander Shulgin in the 1970's and 1980's, and published in his book, PiHKAL (Phenethylamines I Have Known And Loved). Dr. Shulgin also invented the term 2C, being an acronym for the 2 carbon atoms between the benzene ring and the amino group (the amphetamine counterparts are sometimes known as 3C's).