Appeal No. 1996-1529
Application No. 08/233,219
answer (Paper No. 21, mailed May 30, 1995) for the examiner's reasoning in support of the rejection,
and to the appellants’ brief (Paper No. 20, filed March 9, 1995) for the appellants’ arguments
thereagainst. 2
THE INVENTION
Appellants’ invention is directed to (a) methods for polymerizing cyclic ether monomers having
4 or 5 member rings, i.e., substituted or unsubstituted oxetanes or tetrahydrofurans, wherein the
polymerization is catalyzed by an alkylating salt together with a co-catalyst alcohol which forms an
initiating species together with the salt and (b) polymers formed thereby which
have controlled functionality and high molecular weights (specification, page 24).
OPINION
Wardle discloses cationic polymerization of 4 and 5 member cyclic ether monomers, e.g.,
oxetanes and tetrahydrofurans, using an acid catalyst together with an alcohol which complexes with the
acid to form an “initiator adduct,” wherein the acid is used at a molar ratio relative to the hydroxyl
groups of the alcohol at between about 0.05:1 to about 0.5:1. The adduct complexes with a cyclic
ether monomer to form an activated cyclic ether. Uncomplexed alcohol reacts with the activated cyclic
ether monomer to open the ring and provide terminal hydroxyl groups on the exposed ends of the ether
2Appellants’ reply brief (Paper No. 22, filed June 26, 1995) was denied entry by the examiner in the
communication mailed October 17, 1995 (Paper No. 23). Appellants have not filed a petition under 37 C.F.R.
§ 1.181 seeking review of the examiner’s decision to deny entry of the reply brief. Therefore, the reply brief has not
been considered in reaching our decision in this appeal.
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