An 11-step enantioselective synthesis of the A-ring of cylindrospermopsin is described using an intramolecular conjugate addition as the key step to forming the piperidine ring. Further elaboration generates a tricyclic guanidine via a sequential double displacement strategy as a model for the cylindrospermopsin guanidinium core. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.