Although enol ethers can be considered the ether of the corresponding enolates, they are not prepared by alkylation of enolates. Some enol ethers are prepared from saturated ethers by elimination reactions.
Alternatively, vinyl ethers can be prepared from alcohols by iridium-catalyzed transesterification of vinyl esters, especially the widely available vinyl acetate:
:ROH + CH=CHOAc → ROCH=CH + HOAc
Vinyl ethers can be prepared by reaction of acetylene and alcohols in presence of a base.