This alkaloid occurs in Chelidonium majus L. and was first obtained by Gadamer
and Theissen from the residues after the commercial extraction of chelidonine. It
may also be obtained by the oxidation of this latter alkaloid with mercuric
acetate. It yields slender, colourless needles from CHCI3-EtOH, has [α]D +
102.5° and yields no salts.