Method for producing vinyl esters

Continuous, catalytic process for preparing a vinyl ester of the formula R—C(O)O—CH═CH2 by reaction of a carboxylic acid of the formula R—C(O)OH with a transvinylating reagent of the formula R1—C(O)O—CH═CH2 where R and R1 are each independently an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic radical, characterized in that the reaction is effected at a temperature of 90 to 160° C. and at a pressure of 0.8 to 8 MPa without withdrawal of a reactant such that the reaction system is in the steady state, the reaction also being effected in the presence of a transition metal catalyst containing at least one transition metal from the group of ruthenium, osmium, rhodium, iridium, palladium and platinum, and then the resulting reaction mixture is separated into its constituents.