DETAILED ACTION
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
The preliminary amendment dated October 24, 2023 is entered. Claims 1-18 are cancelled claims. Claims 19-39 are new and are pending.
Claim Objections
Claim 26 is objected to because of the following informalities:
Claim 26 contains structures that comprise blurry superscripts and subscripts. Clearly printed chemical structures 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.
Claims 25-28, 30, 31, and 36 are 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 25 recites variables Rc and Rd, but these groups are not shown in claim 25 or in parent claims 19 or 20. The groups are not understood and render the claim indefinite.
Claim 26 recites variables Rc and Rd, but these groups are not shown in claim 26 or in parent claims 19 or 20. The groups are not understood and render the claim indefinite.
Claim 27 recites variables Rc and Rd, but these groups are not shown in claim 27 or in parent claims 19 or 20. The groups are not understood and render the claim indefinite.
Claim 28 shows an integer k in a chemical formula, but k is not defined. Also, in claim 28, Y1 and Y2 are recited to have the same definitions as claim 19, but claim 19 does not contain the groups. Further in claim 28, integer n is defined, but is not shown in a chemical structure. Claim 28 recites points of attachment, but it is unclear specifically if it is the fused ring that is to be attached. For these reasons claim 28 is considered indefinite.
Claim 30 sets forth p, Ar1, A, and q, but the groups are not defined in claim 30 or in parent claims 24 or 19. The meaning of the groups is unclear and claim 30 is indefinite.
In claim 31, with respect to Formulas V1-1 to VI-22 at end of claim, integer k is shown in a formula, but is not defined. Integer n is defined (page 99 of claim set), but is not shown in one of these formulas. Also, in this formula section (page 99 of claim set), variables Y1 and Y2 are recited as defined in claim 19, but Y1 and Y2 are not in claim 19. Sites of attachment are shown, but it is unclear specifically what is to attach at the location. For these reasons, claim 31 is unclear. (Note that claim 36 depends on claim 30 and is also included in the rejection.)
Clarification and/or correction are required.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 19-24, 29, 32-35, and 37-39 are allowed. The closest prior art is considered to be US 2002/0041978, which teaches compounds of formula I (see par. 12) with ketone groups for use in an organic light emitting device. The reference fails to teach or to suggest Formula I with R1 and R2 and R3 and R4 joined as aromatic rings as specifically claimed (see par. 33).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure:
Zhou, D. Y., Koike, T., Suetsugu, S., Onitsuka, K., & Takahashi, S. (2004). Rhodium-catalyzed cyclocarbonylation of azobenzene. Inorganica chimica acta, 357(10), 3057-3063.
WO 2022/200638 A1 sets forth heteroaryl compounds (Formula 1, page 2) for an organic electroluminescent device with similar structure to instant compounds except for =O group.
The references discusses heterocyclic compounds considered relevant to the state of the art.
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).
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/DAWN L GARRETT/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1786
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