Reaction of carboxylic acids with alcohols by using an equimolar amount of di-2-thienyl carbonate (2-DTC) in the presence of a catalytic amount of 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP) followed by addition of an equimolar amount of iodine proceeded smoothly to afford the corresponding esters and 2(5H)-thiophenone in good to high yields.