C08G - Definition 
Definition statement
This subclass covers:
Macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. condensation polymers, where the polymers are:
- polymers from aldehydes or ketones, the polymers including polyacetals and phenol-formaldehyde-type resins such as novolaks or resoles,
- polymers from isocyanates or isothiocyanates, the polymers including polyurethanes and polyureas,
- epoxy resins,
- polymers obtained by reactions forming a carbon-to-carbon link in the main chain, e.g. polyphenylenes and polyxylylenes,
- polymers obtained by reactions forming a linkage containing oxygen in the main chain, e.g. polyesters, polycarbonates, polyethers and copolymers of carbon monoxide with aliphatic unsaturated compounds,
- polymers obtained by reactions forming a linkage containing nitrogen in the main chain, e.g. polyamides, polyamines, polyhydrazides, polytriazoles, polyimides, polybenzimidazoles and nitroso rubbers,
- polymers obtained by reactions forming a linkage containing sulphur in the main chain, e.g. polysulphides, polythioethers, polysulphones, polysulphoxides, polythiocarbonates and polythiazoles,
- polymers obtained by reactions forming a linkage containing silicon in the main chain, e.g. polysiloxanes, silicones or polysilicates,
- other polymers obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. polymers obtained by reactions forming a linkage containing other elements in the main chain, e.g. P, B, Al, Sn, block copolymers obtained by inter-reacting polymers in the absence of monomers, dendrimers and hyperbranched polymers.
Processes for preparing the macromolecular compounds provided for in this subclass.
Relationship between large subject matter areas
Relationship with other subclasses of classes C08 and C09
Polysaccharides and their derivatives are classified in subclass C08B.
Treatment and chemical modification of rubbers, including conjugated diene rubbers, are classified in subclass C08C.
Macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds (usually known as addition polymers) are classified in subclass C08F.
Derivatives of natural macromolecular polymers, e.g. derived from proteins or vulcanised oils, are classified in subclass C08H.
Working-up, general processes of compounding and after-treatment not covered by this subclass are classified in subclass C08J. These include making solutions, dispersions etc., plasticising, compounding with additives, e.g. colouring or masterbatching, crosslinking, manufacture of articles or shaped materials, chemical treatment or coating of such articles, and recovery or working up of waste materials. However, the following points should be noted:
- C08G has some limited provision for post-polymerisation treatments, for example in relation to groups C08G 2/28, C08G 2/30, C08G 18/00, C08G 63/88, C08G 64/40, C08G 65/46, C08G 69/46 and C08G 77/32 (therefore, any related subject matter not covered by these groups in C08G may well be covered by C08J); and
- processes for making cellular polyurethanes are in C08G even though processes for making other polymers cellular are in C08J.
Use or choice of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic materials as compounding agents are classified in subclass C08K.
Compositions of macromolecular compounds, either with other macromolecular compounds or with other ingredients, including compositions of polysaccharides, rubbers or natural macromolecular compounds, are classified in subclass C08L.
Coating compositions and other polymer compositions for similar uses, e.g. paints, inks, woodstains and printing pastes, are classified in subclass C09D.
Adhesives and adhesive processes are classified in subclass C09J.
Materials for applications not otherwise provided for, or applications of materials not otherwise provided for, are classified in subclass C09K. These include sealing or anti-slip materials, heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials, drilling compositions, luminescent or tenebrescent materials, etching, surface-brightening or pickling materials, antioxidant materials, soil-conditioning or soil-stabilising materials, liquid crystal or fireproofing materials.
Subclasses C08B-C08L are generally function-oriented subclasses in relation to the polymers covered there, while C09D-C09K are application-oriented subclasses in relation to the said polymers.
Multiple classification
Biocidal, pest-repellant, pest-attractant or plant growth regulatory activity of compounds or preparations is further classified in subclass A01P.
Therapeutic activity of compounds is further classified in subclass A61P.
The use of cosmetics or other toilet preparations is further classified in A61Q.
References relevant to classification in this subclass
This subclass does not cover:
Production of polymers using enzymes | C12P |
Informative references
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Catalysts in general (other than polymerization catalysts) | B01J |
Chemical apparatus | B01J, B01L |
Special rules of classification
In this subclass, group C08G 18/00 takes precedence over all other groups. A further classification is given if the polymers are obtained by reactions forming specific linkages for which an appropriate group is provided.
Within each main group of this subclass, in the absence of an indication to the contrary, classification is made in the last appropriate place.
In groups C08G 61/00-C08G 79/00, in the absence of an indication to the contrary, macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions forming two different linkages in the main chain are classified only according to the linkage present in excess.
In group C08G 18/00, for the purpose of groups C08G 18/28-C08G 18/69, the addition of water for the preparation of cellular materials is not taken into consideration.
When classifying in group C08G 18/00, it is desirable to add the indexing code of C08G 101/00 relating to manufacture of cellular products.
This subclass also covers compositions based on monomers which form macromolecular compounds classifiable in this subclass. In this subclass:
- if the monomers are defined, classification is made in groups C08G 2/00-C08G 79/00, C08G 83/00 according to the polymer to be formed;
- if the monomers are defined in a way that a composition cannot be classified within one main group of this subclass, the composition is classified in group C08G 85/00;
- if the compounding ingredients are of interest per se, classification is also made in subclass C08K.
Glossary of terms
In this subclass, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:
| Addition polymers | Polymers in which unsaturated monomer molecules join together to form a polymer in which the molecular formula of the repeat unit is identical (except for the double bond) with that of the monomer. |
| Block polymers | Polymers formed by polymerization of monomers on to a macromolecule having groups capable of inducing the formation of new polymer chains bound at one or both ends of the starting macromolecule, or by polymerization using successively different catalyst types or successively different monomer systems without deactivating the intermediate polymer. |
| Condensation polymers | Polymers in which water or some other simple molecule is eliminated from 2 or more monomer molecules as they combine to form the polymer or crosslinks between polymer chains. |
| Copolymers | Usually denotes polymers of 2 chemically distinct monomers, and sometimes denotes terpolymers containing more than 2 types of monomer unit. |
| Graft polymers | Macromolecular compounds obtained by polymerizing monomers on to preformed polymers or on to inorganic materials. Such preformed polymers could be rubbers, polysaccharides, condensation polymers, homopolymers or copolymers of the addition polymer type. |
Synonyms and Keywords
In patent documents the following abbreviations are often used:
| CPET | Crystallised polyethylene terephthalate |
| DABCO | 1,4-diazabicyclo-2,2,2-octane or triethylene diamine (amine catalyst for PU foams) |
| DBP | Dibutyl phthalate |
| DOP | Dioctyl phthalate |
| HDI | Hexamethylene diisocyanate |
| IPDI | Isophorone diisocyanate |
| MDI | Diphenylmethane-4,4'-diisocyanate |
| PBT | Polybutylene terephthalate |
| PEEK | Polyetheretherketone |
| PEG | Polyethylene glycol |
| PEI | Polyetherimide |
| PEK | Polyetherketone |
| PEO | Polyethylene oxide |
| PES | Polyethersulphone |
| PET | Polyethylene terephthalate |
| PPS | Polyphenylene sulphide |
| PPSU | Polyphenylene sulphone |
| PUR | Polyurethane |
| TETA | Triethylene tetramine |
| TDI | Toluene diisocyanate |
In patent documents the following terms "Polycaprolactam" and "Nylon 6" are often used as synonyms. Also, these terms can be used as keywords.
In patent documents the following terms "aromatic polyamide" and "Aramid" are often used as synonyms. Also, these terms can be used as keywords.