The structure of sanguinarine free base was examined. The base is either bis[6-(5,6-dihydrosanguinarinyl)] ether (3) or bis[6-(5,6-dihydrosanguinarinyl)]amine (4) depending on whether Na2CO3 or NH3, respectively, is used as an alkalizing agent. Oxysanguinarine (5) was identified as a side product formed by disproportionation of the pseudobase intermediate 2a.
Dostal, J. ; Bochorakova, H ; Taborska, E. ; Slavik, J. ; Potacek, M. ; et. al. Structure of sanguinarine base. In: Journal of Natural Products, Vol. 59, no. 6, p. 599-602 (1996)