The reaction of alkynes with vinyltriflates in the presence of catalytic amounts of Pd(OAc)2 and HCOOK, omitting phosphane ligands, affords hydrovinylation products usually in good to high yields. The reaction has been employed to develop a regioselective synthesis of 3-vinylfuran-2(5H)-ones from methyl 4-hydroxy-2-butynoates.