The enantioselective total synthesis of micropine, an unusual 2,6-disubstitutedpiperidine alkaloid, and epimicropine, through mercuric trifluoroacetate-catalysed intramolecular alkenylamide cyclisation is described. The synthesis proceeds from L-serine and affords material of the same positive sign of optical rotation as the natural product thereby confirming the absolute stereochemistry of micropine