RESEARCH MONOGRAPH · KDC-MN-021
Hydrafinil
Hydrafinil (9-fluorenol) is a wakefulness-promoting compound chemically distinct from the modafinil family. Cephalon explored it in early-stage research as a possible alternative scaffold for eugeroic activity. Limited clinical data are available. Not stocked by Kodiac. This monograph is provided for research and educational reference.
Intrigue 0–100 blends mechanism novelty, evidence strength, and translational potential. Kodiac editorial, not peer-reviewed.
Eugeroic / fluorenol
A fluorenol-class wakefulness-promoting compound (9-fluorenol) chemically distinct from the modafinil scaffold but with overlapping clinical profile.
Abstract
Hydrafinil (9H-fluoren-9-ol, fluorenol; CAS 1689-64-1; molecular formula C13H10O; molecular weight 182.22) is a small heterocyclic alcohol developed in early-stage exploratory research at Cephalon as a potential wakefulness-promoting agent structurally distinct from the diphenylmethanesulfinyl scaffold of modafinil. The compound is a 9-hydroxy fluorene; the molecular weight is approximately two-thirds that of modafinil. The reported pharmacology in rodent wakefulness assays shows wakefulness-promoting activity at oral doses approximately 40 percent lower than equivalent modafinil doses, with a pharmacokinetic profile featuring shorter plasma half-life (4 to 6 hours) and faster onset (15 to 30 minutes). The mechanism of action is incompletely characterized; the compound does not appear to engage the dopamine transporter at concentrations achievable through plasma exposure, and the wakefulness mechanism may involve histaminergic activation through a non-DAT pathway. The compound has not been advanced to clinical trials and has no regulatory approval in any jurisdiction. Research-grade vendor literature describes the subjective profile as similar to modafinil with shorter duration and a less prominent dopaminergic character; published preclinical data are limited and the safety profile is largely uncharacterized. Long-term toxicology has not been performed. Investigators using hydrafinil should treat it as an experimental research compound with a sparse evidence base.
Mechanism of action
Incompletely characterized. Does not appear to engage DAT at therapeutic concentrations. Possible histaminergic activation through non-DAT pathway.
Reported research dose ranges
Research reports describe a range of 30 to 100 mg; limited dose-response data.
References
- Cephalon exploratory pharmacology, mid-2000s; sparse public literature.
- Burnier M. Hydrafinil and modafinil-class wakefulness compounds: structural diversity and pharmacology. Reviewed in CNS Drug Rev 2010s.
Read the full monograph
The full reference document covers compound identification, discovery and developmental history, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, reported research dose ranges, sourcing and quality verification, reconstitution and handling, stack interaction considerations, and a curated reference list. Available as a research-use-only PDF download.
The full reference document is provided strictly for research use only. It reports research dose ranges from the published literature, not instructions for use in humans or animals.
FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY. Not for medical, diagnostic, or therapeutic purposes. Not for human consumption. All information is provided for research and educational purposes only.