<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Primary amino acids are found to be efficient catalysts for the direct asymmetric Mannich reaction of 2‐aminoacetoacetophenones with aldehydes furnishing 2‐aryldihydroguinolones (III) (25 examples) in moderate to good yield and good to high enantioselectivities.</p> </abstract>