Studies toward the enantiospecific total synthesis of rhodexin A via a very hindered inverse electron demand Diels-Alder reaction are described. The C8-diastereomer of the fully elaborated tetracyclic core of rhodexin A, 23, was prepared in good yield and excellent selectivity using as the key step the stepwise Diels-Alder reaction of the very hindered dienone 3 and the silyl enol ether 4 catalyzed by the very strong Lewis acid, dimethylaluminum triflimide.