IPC Revision WG – Definition Project
Project: D113
Class/subclass:
Rapporteur Proposal
Date : 12/02/2016
Title – C01C
Ammonia;
Cyanogen;
Compounds thereof
Definition statement
This subclass covers:
Ammonia and inorganic compounds thereof which are devoid of a metal atom and contain at
least one ammonium moiety and at least one of any of the following moieties:

oxides or hydroxides

halides,

nitrates,

sulfides,

sulfites,

sulfates,

carbonates or bicarbonates.
Cyanogen and compounds thereof such as:

cyanogen halide,

cyanamide,

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 C01C.
Subclass C01C 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 to 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 to 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 is further classified in A61P.
Uses of cosmetics or similar toilet preparations are further classified in A61Q.
Processes using enzymes or micro-organisms in order to:
(i) liberate, separate or purify a pre-existing compound or composition, or to
(ii) treat textiles or clean solid surfaces of materials
are further classified in subclass C12S.
References relevant to classification in this subclass
This subclass does not cover:
Salts of the oxyacids of halogens
C01B 11/00
Peroxides, salts of peroxyacids
C 01B 15/00
Sulfides or polysulfides other than ammonium
C01B 17/20
Salts of the oxyacids of sulfur other than sulfurous or sulfuric
acids
C01C 17/00
Thiosulfates, dithionites, polythionates
C01B 17/64
Compounds containing selenium or tellurium
C01B 19/00
Azides
C01B 21/08
Metal amides
C01B 21/092
Salts of carbamic acid
C01B 21/12
Salts of hydroxylamine
C01B 21/14
Salts of hydrazine
C01B 21/16
Nitrites
C01B 21/50
Compounds containing a noble gas
C01B 23/00
Phosphides
C01B 25/08
Salts of the oxyacids of phosphorus
C01B 25/16
Ammonium phosphates
C01B 25/28
Compounds containing silicon
C01B 33/00
Compounds containing boron
C01B 35/00
Preparing inorganic compounds except carbon dioxide using
enzymes or fermentation processes
C12P 3/00
Electrolytic production of inorganic compounds or non-metals
C25B 1/00
Processes of producing compounds in which electricity is
simultaneously produced
C25B 5/00
Electrophoretic production of inorganic compounds or nonmetals
C25B 7/00
Examples of places where the subject matter of this class is covered when specially adapted,
used for a particular purpose, or incorporated in a larger system:
Processing powders of inorganic compounds preparatory to the
manufacturing of ceramic products
C04B 35/00
Places in relation to which this subclass is residual:
Informative references
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Chemical or physical processes, e.g. catalysts, colloid chemistry;
their relevant apparatus
B01J
General methods of preparing halides
C01B 9/00
Methods of preparing oxides or hydroxides in general
C01B 13/14
Methods of preparing sulfides or polysulfides in general
C01B 17/20
Methods of preparing sulfites in general
C01B 17/62
Methods of preparing sulphates in general
C01B 17/96
Methods of preparing nitrates in general
C01B 21/48
Methods of preparing carbonates or bicarbonates in general
C01B 31/24
Inorganic fertilisers
C05D
Organic chemistry
C07
Alloys
C22C
Special rules of classification within this subclass
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.
If the inorganic ammonium compound proper for this subclass contains two or more of the
required moieties, e.g. nitrate, sulfate, classsification is in the last relevant subgroup.
Inorganic ammonium compounds that are covered by different subgroups because of
alternatively specified required moieties, e.g. nitrate or sulfate, are classified in each relevant
subgroup.
A chemical process of producing a compound of this subclass is classified with the compound
unless a specific process group is provided.
A physical process related to a specific compound is classified with the compound unless a
specific process group is provided.
Addition of a material which interacts with a compound of this subclass and which is intended
to preserve or maintain said compound, but which in fact chemically changes the compound
is classified according to the newly interacted compound.
Addition of a material which does not interact chemically with the intended compound of this
subclass so as to maintain or preserve said compound is classified with the compound, unless
a specific subgroup has been provided for this particular concept.
Inorganic salts of a compound, unless specifically provided for, are classified as that
compound.
Glossary of terms
In this subclass, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:
Direct bonding
Requires a bond between two adjacent atoms.
Inorganic compound
A compound devoid of a carbon atom.
A compound containing a carbon atom, and satisfying
one of the following criteria:

the compound cannot have direct bonding to
another carbon atom, or

the compound cannot have direct bonding
between a carbon atom and a halogen or
hydrogen atom, or

the compound cannot have direct bonding
between a carbon atom and a nitrogen atom by a
single or double bond.
The following are exceptions to the above and are to be
considered as inorganic compounds although they meet
the limitations above: compounds consisting of only
carbon atom, (e.g. fullerenes), cyanogen, cyanogen
halides, cyanamide, phosgene, thiophosgene,
hydrocyanic acid, isocyanic acid, isothiocyanic acid,
fulminic acid, unsubstituted carbamic acid, and salts of
the above and which contain the same limitations as to a
carbon atom.
Moiety
A specific part of a molecule.
Organic compound
A compound containing a carbon atom and satisfying
one of the following criteria:

at least two carbon atoms having bonding to
each other, or

one carbon atom having direct bonding to a
hydrogen or halogen atom, or

one carbon having direct bonding to a nitrogen
atom by a single or double bond.
Exceptions to the above criteria are: compounds
consisting of only carbon atoms (e.g., fullerenes, etc.),
cyanogen, cyanogen halides, cyanamide, metal
carbides, phosgene, thiophosgene, hydrocyanic acid,
isocyanic acid, isothiocyanic acid, fulminic acid,
unsubstituted carbamic acid, and salts of the previously
mentioned acids; these exceptions are considered to be
inorganic compounds for classification purposes.
Preparation
Covers synthesis, purification, separation, stabilization
or use of additives, unless a separate place is provided
in the classification scheme.
Synonyms and Keywords
In patent documents the following abbreviations are often used:
In patent documents the following expressions/words "---", "---" and "---" are often used as
synonyms.
In patent documents the expression/word "---" is often used instead of "---" which is used in
the classification scheme of this subclass (group).
In patent documents the expression/word "---" is often used with the meaning "---"