Abstract We hereby present the development of new reaction conditions for the CALB catalysed esterification of substituted benzoic acids. Using cyclohexane as the reaction media a number of heptyl benzoates have been easily isolated in good to excellent yields (up to 100% at 80 C, 20–24 h). Moreover, the catalytic system has been successfully applied to the synthesis of local anaesthetics intermediates also showing good productivity in ...