The first primary aminocatalytic direct cross-aldol reaction of acetaldehyde is presented. Among the various vicinal diamines screened, the L-tert-leucine derivative 1c in conjunction with (H4SiW12O40)0.25 was identified as the optimal catalyst; good catalytic activity (up to 99 % yield in 4 h), and high enantioselectivities (up to 92 % ee) were achieved for a range of donors, including aromatic aldehydes