Abstract: Monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylates are prepared by a process in which, following esterification,a) the product mixture is extracted in a first extraction stage with from 5 to 30% v/v of water, based on the product mixture, at a temperature of from 10.degree. to 40.degree. C., andb) the aqueous phase from the first extraction stage is extracted, in a second extraction stage, with from one to four times its weight of the alkanol to be esterified, at a temperature of from 10.degree. to 30.degree. C.

Abstract: Alkyl esters of .alpha.,.beta.-monoolefinically unsaturated monocarboxylic acids are prepared by esterifying the monocarboxylic acid with an alcohol of 6 to 20 carbon atoms in the presence of from 0.1 to 5% by weight, based on the reaction mixture, of a strong acid and in the presence of a polymerization inhibitor and an oxygen-containing gas, at from 80.degree. to 150.degree. C., by a process in which the molar ratio of the monocarboxylic acid to the alcohol is from 1:0.8 to 1:1.2, and the water of reaction is separated off from the reaction mixture while passing an inert gas containing from 1 to 20% by volume of oxygen through the reaction mixture.