C01B - Definition

Definition statement

This subclass covers:

The chemical elements of hydrogen, halogen (fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine and astatine), oxygen, sulfur, phosphorus, silicon, nitrogen, boron, selenium, tellurium, and noble gases (helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon and radon).

Compounds solely composed of any of the elements listed above.

Carbon and compounds of carbon with any of the elements listed above, with the proviso that said compounds cannot contain a carbon atom having direct bonding to another carbon atom, a carbon atom having direct bonding to a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom, or a carbon atom having direct bonding to a nitrogen atom by a single or double bond.

Compounds composed solely of one or more metal atoms and hydrogen.

Peroxides and salts of peroxyacids.

Magnesium, calcium, strontium, or barium sulfides or polysulfides.

Alkali metal sulfides or polysulfides.

Thiosulfates, dithionites and polythionates.

Compounds containing selenium or tellurium.

Azides, metal amides and nitrites.

Carbamic acid and salts thereof.

Binary compounds containing a metal and either N, C or P.

Salts of the oxyacids of halogen or phosphorus.

Compounds consisting only of carbon atoms, e.g. fullerenes, carbon nanotubes.

Phosgene and thiophosgene.

Compounds containing silicon such as silicates, silicon oxides or colloidal silica, e.g. dispersions, gels, hydroorganosols, organosols.

Compounds containing boron.

Substances having molecular sieve properties, but not having base-exchange properties.

Substances having a combination of molecular sieve and base-exchange properties, e.g. crystalline zeolites.

Synthesis, treatment or modification of any of the elements or compounds above by:

• chemical means, i.e. chemical reaction;
• physical means, e.g. concentration, dehydration, purification, separation, solidifying, granulation;
• addition of a stabilizer or preservative; or
• by the combination of chemical and physical means, with the proviso that the resultant product is proper for classification in this subclass.

Methods of preparing the following compounds, in general:

• halides;
• oxides or hydroxides;
• sulphides or polysulfides;
• sulfites;
• sulphates;
• nitrates; or
• carbonates or bicarbonates.

Apparatus:

• for preparation of sulfur trioxide or sulfuric acid by contact processes; or
• for preparation of nitric oxide by catalytic oxidation of ammonia or oxidation of nitrogen.

Relationship between large subject matter areas

In Class C01, in the absence of an indication to the contrary, a compound is classified in the last appropriate subclass of this class. For example, lead oxide is classified in subclass C01G rather than in this subclass.

This subclass is a function oriented entry for the chemical elements and their compounds and does not cover the application or use of the elements and compounds under the subclass definition. For classifying such information other entries in IPC exist, for example:

• Compounds or compositions for preservation of the bodies of humans, animals, plants, or parts thereof, e.g. disinfectants, pesticides, herbicides, as pest repellents or attractants, and as plant growth regulators are classified in subclass A01N.
• Preparations for medical, dental, or toilet purposes are classified in subclass A61K.

Salts, adducts, or complexes formed between an inorganic compound of this subclass and an organic compound of class C07, are regarded as organic compounds and classified in class C07.

When a process produces multiple compounds only those which are intended or desired require classification and classification may be proper in multiple subclasses.

MULTIPLE CLASSIFICATION

Biocidal, pest attractant, or plant growth regulatory activity of chemical compounds or preparations is further classified in subclass A01P.

Therapeutic activity of chemical compounds or medicinal preparations is further classified in subclass A61P.

Uses of cosmetics or similar toilet preparations are further classified in subclass A61Q.

References relevant to classification in this subclass

This subclass does not cover:

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Special rules of classification

In this subclass, in the absence of an indication to the contrary, a compound or a process of making a compound appropriate for this subclass is classified in the last appropriate place.

In this subclass, tradenames that are often found in scientific and patent literature have been used to define precisely the scope of the groups.

This subclass provides for products which are intended or desired. When a process produces multiple compounds only those which are intended or desired require a classification. However, by-products can be given an additional classification if they or the processes for obtaining them are considered of interest for search.

Inorganic salts of a compound, unless specifically provided for elsewhere, are classified as that compound.

Glossary of terms

In this subclass, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated: