Methods and small molecule compounds for stem cell differentiation are provided. One example of a class of compounds that may be used is represented by the compound having the structure IA or IB in the form of free base or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate, solvate or N-oxide thereof: R1 is independently hydrogen or (C1-C6)alkyl; R2 is independently hydrogen, (C1-C6)alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl; R2′ is independently hydrogen, (C1-C6)alkyl, CF3 or C2F5; R3 is independently (C1-C6)alkyl, aryl, 2-tetrahydrofurylmethyl, an aliphatic tertiary amine, or 4-methoxybenzyl; or R2 and R3 may be joined together to form a 5 or 6 member ring lactone; R4 is independently hydrogen, (C1-C6)alkyl, a 2- or 4-R5-substituted aromatic ring selected from a 4-R5-phenyl or a 2-R5-5-pyridyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aliphatic tertiary amine or halogen; and R5, R5′, R6, R6′, R7, R7′, are each independently hydrogen, (C1-C6)alkyl, aryl, optionally substituted phenyl, heteroaryl, a heterocyclic ring, an aliphatic tertiary amine, or halogen.