Assessment of inventive step for organic chemical reactions: Structure–reactivity-relationships in the frame of the problem-solution approach (PSA)

Structure–reactivity-relationships (SRR) or linear free energy relationships (LFER) are a part of the common general knowledge in the field of organic chemical reactions. Accordingly, for the assessment of inventive step the knowledge of the reaction mechanism and knowledge of the interacting functional groups is of utmost importance. The relevance of the problem-solution-approach in this context is discussed using basic chemical literature, and in the context of selected decisions of the Technical Boards of Appeal of the European Patent Office.