Tremetone is a constituent of the toxic compound tremetol, found in snakeroot (Ageratina altissima), that contributes[1] to cause milk sickness in humans and trembles in livestock.

[3] Tremetol can be found in a number of different species of the family Asteraceae, including snakeroot and rayless goldenrod (Isocoma pluriflora).

Further isolation experiments revealed that tremetone is the major ketone constituent of the compound tremetol.

This synthesis had a 75% yield, but the final product was a racemate that would not suitably undergo chiral resolution.

This prevented isolation of the natural levorotary enantiomer of tremetone; thus limiting the ability to further analyze its biological mechanisms.