The reaction of vinyl chloroacetate with a variety of nucleophilic reagents is described. With iodide, bromide, thiocyanate, diethylamine, and tertiary phosphines, vinyl chloroacetate undergoes simple nucleophilic displacement to give vinyl alphasubstituted acetates: ClCHzC02CH= CH2+ X--XCHzCOzCH= CHz+ C1-. Primary amines, alkoxides, and cyanides attack the carbonyl to give amides or acid salts: ClCHZCO&H= CHz+ RNHz-+ ...