In this manuscript, the authors describe a sustainable method of synthesising ethyl and methyl formates using bio-based materials. This process involves the transesterification of geranyl and citronellyl formates, which are extracted from Pelargonium species essential oil, using either ethanol or methanol. This process is catalysed using a new ecocatalyst derived from Fallopia japonica and processed into a mineral-rich catalyst (Eco1-E-FA-JA). This opens the door to an alternative to conventional industrial synthesis.
The experimental work appears to be well executed and of interest to readers, but it is incomplete. In my opinion, the manuscript can be published once the authors have addressed the comments below.
Comments:
In Figures 2a and 2b, the curve without a catalyst is missing. Please add it.
To validate the effectiveness of this Ecocatalyst® more conclusively, I suggest that the authors add comparative reactivity measurements between Ecol-E-FA-JA and other metal catalysts, alongside the corresponding literature. In transesterification, for example, other metals such as tin(IV) (dibutyltin oxide, <2020EJOC1720> and <2001AGE3672>), titanium(IV) [titanium(IV) isopropoxide, <1995T107>] and indium(III) [indium(III) iodide, <1998JOC6027>] could be considered, in addition to magnesium(II), calcium(II) and potassium(I), which are reported in Table 5.

The authors have addressed the concerns of the reviewers and revised the manuscript accordingly. I recommend publication of the manuscript in RSC Sustainability.