text: MsO catalyzes the esterification of alcohols by carboxylic acids. 2-Naphthyl acetate was prepared from 2-naphthol and glacial (anhydrous) acetic acid in the presence of MsO. Both alcohols on ethylene glycol successfully benzoylated with benzoic acid and MsO. However, for free alcohols on monosaccharides, the acetylation was not completed.