C01C - Definition

Definition statement

This subclass covers:

Ammonia and inorganic compounds thereof which contain at least one ammonium moiety.

Cyanogen and compounds thereof such as:

• cyanogen halides;
• cyanamides;
• hydrocyanic acid;
• isocyanic acid;
• isothiocyanic acid;
• thiocyanic acid; and
• inorganic salts, including metal salts, of any of the above acids.

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

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

Methods of preparing ammonium salts in general.

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, complexes of nickel and ammonia are classified in C01G 53/12 rather than in this subclass.

This Subclass is a function oriented entry for the compounds themselves and does not cover the application or use of the 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 A01N.
• Preparations for medical, dental, or toilet purposes are classified in A61K.

Ammonium salts of complex acids (other than complex cyanides) containing a metal in the anion are covered by the relevant groups of subclasses C01D-C01G, according to the metal.

Salts of polybasic acids with ammonium and a metal as cations are classified as though the ammonium were hydrogen.

Complex ammine salts are classified in the relevant groups of subclasses C01D-C01G, according to the metal.

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 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 A01P.

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

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

This subclass provides for inorganic non-metal ammonium compounds and cyanogens and compounds thereof 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.

If an inorganic ammonium compound proper for this subclass contains two or more non-metal moieties, then a classification is given in the last relevant subgroup.

Inorganic ammonium compounds that are covered by different subgroups because of alternatively specified non-metal moieties are classified in each relevant subgroup.

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: