A total synthesis of racemic alpha-allokainic acid is described, which starts from allylsilane 8 and methoxy- or chloroglycine derivative 9, and proceeds fully stereoselectively in nine steps and 1.1% overall yield. Key steps are the intermolecular N-acyliminium ion coupling of 8 with 9 and an intramolecular allylsilane N-acyliminium ion reaction of 4, which closes the pyrrolidine ring by C4-C5 bond formation. Remarkably, the intramolecular variant of the coupling of 8 with 9 in order to prepare delta-lactone 5 failed to proceed.