First sustainable synthesis of biobased ethyl and methyl formates by ecocatalysis

Abstract

We described the first synthesis of biobased ethyl and methyl formates. The synthetic strategy is based on the transesterification of natural geranyl and citronellyl formates derived from Pelargonium species essential oils with ethanol or methanol, promoted by an ecocatalyst^®. Good yields (up to 80%) were obtained with an excellent selectivity.