Homogeneous process for the ruthenium catalyzed addition of carboxylic acids to alkynes

摘要

The present invention relates to a homogeneous, ruthenium catalyzed liquid phase process for vinyl ester synthesis. It has been found that by adding at least one selectivity enhancer to the reaction system, selectivity to the addition reaction is improved while byproduct formation is inhibited. Useful selectivity enhancers include non-reacting heteroatom containing molecules that are believed to act by weakly coordinating to the ruthenium/phosphine ligand complex.