Methyl- and ethyl arylcarboxylates were synthesized by palladium-catalyzed alkoxycarbonylation of various aryl p-toluenesulfonates (tosylates). Yields were highly dependent on the substituent of aryl tosylates and phosphine ligands used. Ethoxycarbonylation of 4-acetylphenyl tosylate by the use of a bisphosphine ligand gave ethyl 4-acetylbenzoate in quite satisfactory yields.