The subject matter on appeal is directed to improved processes for preparing
aqueous solutions of N-methylol derivatives of carboxamides, urethanes, ureas and
aminotriazines and/or the N-methylol ethers of carboxamides, urethanes, ureas and
aminotriazines. There are three different aspects of appellant’s claimed invention, each
having in common the utilization of a boron containing catalyst. The first aspect, which is
the subject of claim 11, concerns a process for preparing aqueous solutions of N-methylol
compound of a carboxamide, urethane, urea or aminotriazine comprising reacting said
carboxamide, urethane, urea or aminotriazine with formaldehyde using a catalyst selected
from the group consisting of boron trifluoride, a boron trifluoride addition compound,
tetrafluoroboric acid, and a salt of tetrafluoroboric acid. The second aspect, which is the
subject of claims 12 to 18, concerns a process for preparing aqueous solutions of N-
methylol ether of a carboxamide, urethane, urea or aminotriazine comprising reacting the
corresponding N-methylol compound with an alcohol in the presence of a catalyst selected
from the group consisting of boron trifluoride, a boron trifluoride addition compound and
tetrafluoroboric acid. The third aspect, which is the subject of claim 19, concerns a
process for preparing an aqueous solution of an N-methylol ether of a carboxamide,
urethane, urea or aminotriazine comprising reacting said carboxamide, urethane, urea or
aminotriazine with formaldehyde and an alcohol in an aqueous solution using a catalyst
selected from the group consisting of boron trifluoride, a boron trifluoride addition
compound, tetrafluoroboric acid and a salt of tetrafluoroboric acid. The novelty of the three
aspects of appellants’ processes resides in the use of the aforementioned catalyst.
In the brief, appellants have argued the claims separately as grouped above. Claim
11 is sufficiently representative of the claims on appeal and reads as follows:
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Last modified: November 3, 2007