Appeal No. 95-3931
Application 08/163,086
straight or branched alkyl groups to form an aldehyde which is then hydrogenated to the corresponding
alcohol. The reaction occurs in a liquid phase at 20E to 150EC under a pressure of 0.1 to 20 MPa (i.e.,
1 to 200 bar).
On page 5 of the brief, appellants state that they “agree with the Examiner’s statement that both
Rottig and Mertzweiller teach the preparation of an olefin by the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis followed by
oxonation of the olefin with synthesis gas to the aldehyde, which is then hydrogenated to the alcohol.” They
argue, however, that their invention
lies in the selection of a specific starting material (Fischer-Tropsch olefin), and its
processing by one of several known oxo processes, to form a specified product. Neither
Rottig nor Mertzweiller specifically teaches the use of C Fisher-Tropsch [sic, Fischer-
9
Tropsch] olefins as a reactant for the synthesis of a high quality plasticizer. Further, neither
Rottig nor Mertzweiller recommend that the oxonation be carried out in a two-phase
reaction, using rhodium/phosphine catalysts dissolved in water. Instead, both exclusively
use a cobalt-based process.
The examiner relies on Bahrmann to “show that the hydroformylation of olefins to aldehydes takes place
in the liquid phase in the presence of water and rhodium or a rhodium compound and a water soluble
phosphine containing a sulfonated aromatic radical and a cation such as dodecyl-dimethyl ammonium salt
at 20-150EC and 1-200 bar” (answer: p. 4). Appellant does not dispute this finding, but contends that
“Bahrmann is not specifically directed to the formation of C alcohols from C Fischer-Tropsch olefins,10 9
nor would the improved results, when such alcohols are used in the formation of plasticizers, be taught or
suggested” (brief: p. 5).
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