The first iridium-catalyzed oxidative alkeynylation of benzylamines with acrylates enabled by a new directing grouppentafluorobenzoyl has been developed. The reaction proceeded efficiently in the presence of silver acetate as oxidant and chlorobenzene as solvent. A good range of benzylamines could be selectively monoalkenylated without interfering with further aza-Michael addition. The kinetic isotope