Appeal 2007-0736
Application 10/480,239
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
The field of the invention is the preparation of cycloaliphatic
compounds which have side chains containing epoxide groups.
(Specification (“Spec.”) 1 (Title).) “Such compounds can . . . be prepared
by hydrogenation of aromatic compounds . . . having side chains containing
oxirane groups . . . .” (Id.) “However, the high reactivity of the oxirane
groups is a problem in the catalytic hydrogenation. Under reaction
conditions usually required for hydrogenation of the aromatic ring, these
groups are frequently reduced to alcohol.” (Id.) According to Appellants,
the “activities [of their catalysts] are significantly above the activities
achieved in the processes of the prior art at a comparable or improved
selectivity.” (Id. at 3.) They attribute the “high activity” of their catalysts
to the “particularly good distribution of the ruthenium over the surface of the
support material and to the virtual absence of halogen in the support
materials.” (Id.)
The claimed subject matter is reflected in representative claim 1:2
1. A process for preparing cycloaliphatic compounds I which have side
chains containing epoxide groups by heterogeneously catalyzed
hydrogenation of a compound II which comprises at least one carbocyclic
aromatic group and at least one side chain containing at least one epoxide
group over a ruthenium catalyst comprising elemental ruthenium on a
support material which consists of at least 90% by weight of amorphous
silicon dioxide, based upon the total weight of the support material, wherein
the ruthenium catalyst is obtained by
i) treating a support material based on amorphous silicon dioxide,
wherein the support material consists of at least 90% by weight of
2 Appellants do not separately argue the claims. Thus, we address each issue
with reference to claim 1. See 37 C.F.R. § 41. 37(c)(1)(vii).
2
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Next
Last modified: September 9, 2013