To provide a new method for producing an α, β-unsaturated carboxylate, while a method for producing methyl methacrylate having a process for reacting methylacetylene, carbon monoxide and methanol in the presence of palladium acetate, a tertiary phosphine compound and methane sulfonic acid is known as the method for producing the α, β-unsaturated carboxylate.

The method for producing the α, β-unsaturated carboxylate is characterized by having a process for reacting an acetylene compound represented by formula (1) (wherein, R is H or 1-6C alkyl), carbon monoxide and an alcohol compound in the presence of a platinum group element-having compound, a phosphine compound and a Lewis acid.