Appeal 2007-0736
Application 10/480,239
free aqueous solution of a low molecular weight ruthenium compound” to
prepare the ruthenium catalyst.
The Cited Prior Art
6. Schuster and Shokal each disclose a process for preparing
cycloaliphatic compounds such as Appellants’ Compound I by
hydrogenation of the aromatic groups of compounds within Appellants’
definition of Compound II, with retention of the epoxy (or oxirane) ring(s)
using a ruthenium catalyst on an inert carrier. (Schuster, col. 1, ll. 14-29;
Shokal, col. 1, ll. 44-54.)
7. Shokal and Setoyama each disclose using a silicon dioxide support
material for a ruthenium catalyst. (Shokal, col. 6, ll. 11-12; Setoyama, col.
2, ll. 37-39.)
8. Shokal teaches the advantages of using either rhodium or
ruthenium for the hydrogenation reaction and does not teach, suggest, or
even imply ruthenium is inferior to rhodium. (See Shokal passim.)
9. In fact, if anything, Shokal’s Example VI shows rhodium to be
“less selective” than ruthenium (Example VIII). (Compare col. 11, ll. 20-45
with col. 11, ll. 56-68.)
10. Setoyama discloses using a silica gel (an amorphous silicon
dioxide) as a support material. (Col. 2, ll. 37-40; col. 5, l. 21).
11. Setoyama discloses using a ruthenium catalyst on a carrier
(“preferably SiO2”) to partially hydrogenate aromatic hydrocarbons
(Abstract; col. 2, l. 39) and preparing the ruthenium catalyst by treating SiO2
with a “starting ruthenium compound” such as ruthenium nitrate in water
(col. 3, ll. 34-53); conventionally drying the treated support material to
remove the solvent (col. 3, ll. 21-24; and reducing the SiO2-supported
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