Anatabine is obtained by reacting benzophenoneimine with 3-aminomethyl pyridine to form benzylhydrylidene-pyridin-3-yl-methyl-amine. The benzylhydrylidene-pyridin-3-yl-methyl-amine is treated with a non-nucleophilic base and a dielectrophile, such as cis-1,4-dichloro-2-butene, followed by acidification, then basification, to provide anatabine. The resulting anatabine is substantially free from contaminants and displays good stability. In an alternative embodiment, the benzylhydrylidene-pyridin-3-yl-methyl-amine may be used in the synthesis of other alkaloids such as anabasine, nornicotine, N-methylanabasine, and anabaseine.