A vinyl ester of the formula R3COOR4 where R3 is CH2=CH- or CH2=C.CH3- and R4 contains at least four carbon atoms and is selected from alkyl, cycloalkyl and aminoalkyl is conducted by reaction of an ester R3COOR1, where R1 is C1-3 alkyl, with metal alcoholate formed from an alcohol R4OH and titanium, aluminium, zirconium, calcium or magnesium in the absence of water or reactive alcohol.