Appeal No. 2001-2093
Application No. 09/054,134
reacting weakly basic anion exchange polymers bearing tertiary
amino groups with an alkylating agent such as ethylene oxide in
the presence of sulfuric acid at temperatures below 150°C to
form polymers having quaternary ammonium groups. (Appeal brief,
pages 3-4; specification, page 1, line 15 to page 2, line 3.)
In particular, we note that DE ’715 discloses a process in which
a weakly basic, anion exchange crosslinked polystyrene resin
having tertiary amino groups3 (Example 3) is reacted with
ethylene oxide in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid at
30°C. (Example 6.) Thus, as in the invention recited in
appealed claim 5, DE ’715 teaches the addition of strong
sulfuric acid, which, according to the appellants
(specification, page 4, line 28 to page 5, line 3), controls the
pH.
Although directed to a process for preparing quaternary
ammonium salt compounds, as distinguished from quaternary
ammonium group containing polymers, Günter teaches that reaction
variables such as pH and temperature should be controlled within
certain ranges when a molecule containing tertiary amine groups
3 The present specification indicates that the “cross-
linked vinylaromatic polymers” include crosslinked polystyrene.
(P. 2, l. 26 to p. 3, l. 32.)
4
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