A group of known, but in cellulose chemistry new coupling reagents for homogeneous esterification has been investigated: 4-(4,6-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-4-methyl-morpholinium chloride, N-methyl-2-bromopyridinium iodide, N-methyl-2-chloropyridinium iodide, and N-methyl-2-bromopyridinium tosylate. In order to study their ability to activate carboxylic acids in esterifications of cellulose they have been employed in synthesis of cellulose adamantate esters. Their effectiveness has been estimated in terms of degree of substitution of resulting esters and compared to that obtained with the commonly used N,N'-carbonyldiimidazole.