78. The 061 patent says that aluminoxanes may be formed “by the partial hydrolysis of
hydrocarbyl aluminum compounds.” GX 2, col. 1, lines 22-23.
79. No other method of making an aluminoxane is described in the 061 patent.
80. The 061 patent describes organo boroxines as compounds represented by the formulas
(RBO)3 and ((R’O)BO)3 where R and R’ are hydrocarbyl groups. GX 2, col. 4, lines 16-40.
81. These boroxines may be represented by the following structural formulas:
R R'O
B O B O
O B R O B OR'
B O B O
R R'O
82. Dr. Geerts testifies that the invention of the 061 patent
was an integral part of my continuing research effort aimed at developing
co-catalysts and catalyst composites for polymerizing olefins. . . . [T]he work
that led to the '061 patent was, in my mind, a progression of the research
described above directed to finding new aluminoxane co-catalysts and new
ways of making aluminoxane co-catalysts.
GR 205-06, ¶ 21.
83. Commercial methylaluminoxane (MAO) is said to be a source of aluminoxane used in the
boroxine work.GR 278, ¶ 271.
84. Commercial MAO is said to contain significant amounts of trimethylaluminum. GR 278,
¶ 271.
85. Dr. Geerts testifies that between September 23, 1991, and September 26, 1991, he did some
experiments to determine if the trimethylaluminum present in commercial MAO could be converted
to MAO without impairing the usefulness of the MAO already in the mixture. GR 278, ¶¶ 271-72.
86. In the experiment, Geerts attempted to react the trimethylaluminum present in commercial
methylaluminoxane solution with boronic acid. A reaction was said to take place. The reaction
mixture was said to have been reacted with methoxyboroxine to form a precipitate which was used
to make a catalyst. GR 278-79, ¶¶271-274; GX 16, p. 86.
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