Markush structure

Markush structures (-R) are chemical symbols used to indicate a collection of chemicals with similar structures. They are commonly used in chemistry texts, and also in patent claims.

Markush structures are depicted with R groups, in which the side chain can be a structure type, e.g. 'cyclohexyl'.[1] This more general depiction of the molecule, versus detailing every atom in the molecule, is used to protect intellectual property. The company which files the patent makes a general claim for the usage of the molecule without revealing to their competitors the exact molecule for which they are declaring a useful application.[2]

In Patents

Named after Dr Eugene A. Markush founded the Pharma Chemical Corporation in New Jersey. He was involved in a legal case that set a precedent for generic chemical structure patent filing.[1] The patent filing was USPTO, Federal Register 72, 154 - 44,992-45,001. Markush was awarded a patent from the US Patent Office for “The process for manufacture of dyes which comprises coupling with a halogen-substituted pyralazone, a diazotized unsulphonated material selected from the group consisting of aniline, homologues of aniline, and halogen substitution products of aniline” in August 1924.[2][3]

In describing a chemical, a Markush structure allows the patent-holder to be deliberately vague as to the most active/effective structural formula, concealing that information from competitors.

See Also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Barnard, John M. (28 Oct 2009). "Markush Structure Searching". Royal Society of Chemistry www.rsc.org. Retrieved 15 Jan 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Gardner, Steve; Vinter, Andy. "Beyond Markush – Protecting Activity not Chemical Structure". http://www.cresset-group.com/''. Retrieved 15 Jan 2015.
  3. ↑ http://www.google.com/patents/US1506316