A process is described for preparing a cinnamate ester by reacting the corresponding styrene with an alcohol, carbon monoxide and oxygen in the presence of a catalyst containing palladium metal or a palladium compound and a copper compound. A feed gas containing carbon monoxide and oxygen is blown into a reaction mixture containing the liquid reactants and an exhaust gas containing vapor formed by evaporation of liquid components of the reaction mixture is passed through a condenser. The condensate is recirculated to the reactor and the remaining gas is discharged. A gas selected from the discharged gas, inert gas and carbon dioxide is blown into the reaction mixture separately to the feed gas to increase the rate of evaporation of the liquid components of the reaction mixture and improve removal of heat evolved inside the reactor.
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