Ex Parte Faryniarz et al - Page 8

                Appeal No. 2006-3254                                                                         
                Application No. 10/347,982                                                                   

                acid can only co-exist with a partially neutralized salt because of pKa                      
                considerations.  There is thus no disclosure of a fully neutralized malonic                  
                acid.”  (Br. 6.)  In traversing the rejection over Jokura in view of Cole                    
                discussed below, Appellants argue that “[d]ifferences in pKa would have                      
                any alkali first neutralize free acid before it would double neutralize both                 
                carboxylic functions.”  (Br. 11.)  Appellants also argue that Günter does not                
                describe malonic acids or “mixed mono- and di-salts of dicarboxylic acids.”                  
                (Br. 8.)  Thus, Appellants argue that neither reference “disclose[s] mixtures                
                of partially and fully neutralized malonic acid.”  (Id.)                                     
                      We are not persuaded by this argument.  We find that the Examiner                      
                has set forth adequate scientific reasoning to support the conclusion that                   
                Jokura discloses mixtures of partially and fully neutralized acid.                           
                      In particular, the Examiner argues that “the ‘free acid,’ ‘partially                   
                neutralized’ acid (formula I), and ‘fully neutralized[’] acid (formula II), exist            
                in solution in equilibrium with one another, with the concentration of the                   
                different forms being governed by the individual Ka of each ‘neutralization’                 
                reaction.”  (Answer 14.)  In support of this position, the Examiner points to                
                equilibrium equations that are well known in the art, as evidenced by the                    
                attached excerpt from a Chemistry textbook.3  These equations support the                    
                Examiner’s conclusion that malonic acid, at pHs in the range disclosed by                    
                Jokura, provides a solution containing “fully neutralized acid” and “partially               
                neutralized acid” in equilibrium with one another (“fully neutralized                        
                acid”/“partially neutralized acid” = Ka2/[H+]) and “partially neutralized acid”              
                                                                                                            
                3 Ronald J. Gillespie et al., Chemistry 516-520, 524-525, & 550-551 (1986)                   
                (copy attached).                                                                             
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