benzenesulfonic acid (DBSA) leads to highly effective and selective organocatalysts in water. The in situ generated catalysts catalyze highly stereoselective desymmetrization of prochiral ketones via directaldol reactions (up to >16:1 dr, >99% ee) in water using micelle as reaction media. The current strategy was also applied in asymmetric Michael addition leading to a catalytic system with good activity