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 degrees C, 20-24 h). Moreover, the catalytic system has been successfully applied to the synthesis of local anaesthetics intermediates also showing good productivity in recycling experiments. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.