Vinyl-ethers and methods of their production

A method for producing at least one vinyl ether compound of formula (I)

• wherein
• n is an integer of 0 to 5;
• R1, R3 and R4 are independently selected from —OH, —O—CH═CH2, —H or a substituted or unsubstituted C1-C10 alkyl or C2-C10 alkenyl group;
• and
• R2 and R5 are independently selected from —H or a substituted or unsubstituted C1-C10 alkyl or C2-C10 alkenyl group;
• with the proviso that at least two of R1, R3 and R4 are —OH or —O—CH═CH2, and
• wherein at least one of R1, R3 and R4 is —O—CH═CH2;
• wherein the method comprises or consists of the following steps:
• reacting a compound of formula (III)
• wherein
• n is an integer of 0 to 5, preferably 1, 2 or 3;
• R7, R9 and R11 are independently selected from —OH, —H or a substituted or unsubstituted C1-C10 alkyl or C2-C10 alkenyl group;
• and
• R8 and R10 are independently selected from —H or a substituted or unsubstituted C1-C10 alkyl or C2-C10 alkenyl group;
• with the proviso that at least two of R7, R9 and R11 are —OH;
• with
• (i) acetylene in the presence of a catalyst and under pressure, wherein preferably the catalyst is selected from the group of transition metal acetylides, metal carbonyles, metal carbonyl hydrides, (alkaline (earth)) metal alkoxides or (alkaline (earth)) metal hydroxides or oxides;
• and/or
• wherein preferably the vinylization can be carried out in liquid phase or gas phase;
• or
• (ii) calcium carbide, water and a base,
• wherein the reaction is preferably carried out in a solvent.