A process for preparing fluorinated alkyl carboxylate esters comprises reaction of a silver carboxylate or silver carboxylate precursor, such as silver (I) iodide with a fluorinated alkyl iodide and a carboxylic acid. Preferably the fluorinated alkyl iodide has the general formula CF.sub.3(CF.sub.2).sub.nCH.sub.2CH.sub.2I, wherein n is an integer in the range of from 1 to 29 and the carboxylic acid is acetic acid, acrylic acid or methacrylic acid.