The present article describes novel oxidative protocols for direct esterification of alcohols. The protocols involve successful demonstrations of both "cross" and "self" esterification of a wide variety of alcohols. The cross-esterification proceeds under a simple transition-metal-free condition, containing catalytic amounts of TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy)/TBAB (tetra-n-butylammonium bromide) in combination with oxone (potassium peroxo monosulfate) as the oxidant, whereas the self-esterification is achieved through simple induction of Fe(OAc)2 /dipic (dipic=2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid) as the active catalyst under an identical oxidizing environment.