Total synthesis of (−)-mniopetal F, a novel inhibitor of RNA-directed DNA-polymerases

We have achieved a total synthesis of (−)-mniopetal F, a drimane-type sesquiterpenoid which inhibits the reverse transcriptase activity of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1. The key step in our enantiospecific synthesis is a stereoselective intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction, in which the π-facial selectivity is controlled by the stereoelectronic effect of a trialkylsilyloxy substituent existing adjacent to the dienophile part.