A process for preparing 2-alkynoic esters of the general formula (I),R.sup.1 --O--CO--C.tbd.C--R.sup.2 (I)in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently are C.sub.1-16 -alkyl, C.sub.6-12 -aryl, C.sub.7-12 -aralkyl or C.sub.7-12 -alkylaryl radicals, and R.sup.2 can also be hydrogen,by reacting a chloroformate of the general formula (II),R.sup.1 --O--CO--Cl (II)with an alkyne of the general formula (III),R.sup.2 --C.tbd.C--H (III)is carried out in the presence of a Pt and/or Pd complex which has phosphine ligands and/or phosphite ligands as catalyst.