The present invention relates to a cell differentiation inducer capable of efficiently inducing differentiation of undifferentiated cells into neural cells with high selectivity while being a low-molecular compound that can be easily synthesized, and an undifferentiated cell as a neuronal cell. Use of a specific catechol derivative for efficiently inducing differentiation with high selectivity and a method for efficiently inducing differentiation of undifferentiated cells into neural cells with a high selectivity with a specific catechol derivative The purpose is to provide. The cell differentiation inducer according to the present invention includes a catechol derivative having a specific chemical structure.本発明は、化学合成も容易な低分子化合物でありながらも未分化細胞を神経系細胞へ高い選択率で効率的に分化誘導することができる細胞分化誘導剤と、未分化細胞を神経系細胞へ高い選択率で効率的に分化誘導するための特定のカテコール誘導体の使用、および、特定のカテコール誘導体を用いて未分化細胞を神経系細胞へ高い選択率で効率的に分化誘導するための方法を提供することを目的とする。本発明に係る細胞分化誘導剤は、特定の化学構造を有するカテコール誘導体を含むことを特徴とする。
