DETAILED ACTION
The claim set dated 04/17/2023 is under consideration.
This office action is in response to the election of species response received on July 28, 2026. The election of species requirement is now withdrawn. Claims 1-20 are pending.
Specification
The disclosure is objected to because of the following informalities:
On page 106, par. 130 of the specification (as filed), there are three listed compounds that are blurry and faintly printed. Clearer structures should be presented.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Objections
Claim 19 is objected to because of the following informalities:
Claim 19 contains compounds that have blurry and/or faint bonding lines and atoms. Clearly printed compounds with sharper resolution should be provided. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claim 9 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Claim 9 recites the compound is selected from “the group consisting of the structure of LIST 10 defined herein”. A “LIST 10” is not provided in either claim 9 or in parent claim 1. Accordingly, the meaning of “LIST 10” is not understood and renders the claim indefinite. Clarification and/or correction are required.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(d):
(d) REFERENCE IN DEPENDENT FORMS.—Subject to subsection (e), a claim in dependent form shall contain a reference to a claim previously set forth and then specify a further limitation of the subject matter claimed. A claim in dependent form shall be construed to incorporate by reference all the limitations of the claim to which it refers.
The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, fourth paragraph:
Subject to the following paragraph [i.e., the fifth paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112], a claim in dependent form shall contain a reference to a claim previously set forth and then specify a further limitation of the subject matter claimed. A claim in dependent form shall be construed to incorporate by reference all the limitations of the claim to which it refers.
Claim 19 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(d) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, 4th paragraph, as being of improper dependent form for failing to further limit the subject matter of the claim upon which it depends, or for failing to include all the limitations of the claim upon which it depends. Applicant may cancel the claim(s), amend the claim(s) to place the claim(s) in proper dependent form, rewrite the claim(s) in independent form, or present a sufficient showing that the dependent claim(s) complies with the statutory requirements.
Claim 19 depends upon claim 18, which recites a host having at least one specific chemical moiety. Claim 19 sets forth chemical structures that do not include one of the at least one moieties of claim 18.
At least the following compounds of claim 19 do not have a required moiety group:
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Accordingly, claim 19 recites limitations that are not within the scope of claim 18, upon which claim 19 depends.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-8, 10-18, and 20 are allowed. The closest prior art is considered to be Lin et al. US 2020/0119289 A1 (cited on 4/17/2023 I.D.S.), which generally teaches a metal complex of Formula I (see par. 16):
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The reference fails to teach or to render obvious a specifically fused ring ligand of instant ligand LA of Formula I.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure:
Kui, Steven CF, et al. "Luminescent organoplatinum (II) complexes with functionalized cyclometalated C^ N^ C ligands: structures, photophysical properties, and material applications." Chemistry–A European Journal 18.1 (2012): 96-109.
The references discusses metal complexes with fused rings (Scheme 1, page 98) for light emission. The reference is relevant to the field of the endeavor.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Dawn Garrett whose telephone number is (571)272-1523. The examiner can normally be reached Monday through Thursday (Eastern Time).
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Jennifer Boyd can be reached at 571-272-7783. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/DAWN L GARRETT/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1786
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