IIPC Revision WG – Definition Project
Project: D114
Class/subclass: C01G
Rapporteur Proposal
Date : 12/02/2016
Title – C01 G
Compounds containing metals not covered by subclasses C01 D or C01F
Definition statement
This subclass covers:
Inorganic compounds containing at least one of the following metals:

refractory metal, i.e. Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, W;

platinum group, i.e. Os, Ir, Pt, Ru, Rh, Pd;

iron group, i.e. Fe, Co, Ni;

Ag, Au, Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg, Ga, Tl, Ge, Sn, Pb, As, In, Bi, Sb, U, Mn, Rh and the
elements having an atomic number of 89 or above
and at least one or a combination of any of the following moieties:

nitrates,

sulfates,

sulfites,

carbonates or bicarbonates,

carbonyls,

halides,

sulfides,

oxides,

hydroxides,

ammonium salts.
Synthesis, treatment or modification of any of the compounds proper for this subclass by:

chemical means, i.e. chemical treatment;

physical means, e.g. concentration, dehydration, purification, separation;

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 compounds of metals not covered by subclasses C01B, C01C, C01D or
C01F, 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. For example, lead carbonate is classified in C01G 21/14, rather
than in C01B.
Subclass C01G 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.
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:
Metal hydrides
C01B 6/00
Salts of oxyacids of halogens
C01B 11/00
Peroxides, salts of peroxyacids
C01B 15/00
Salts of oxyacids of sulfur except for sulfurous or sulfuric acid
C01B 17/00
Thiosulfates, dithionites or polythionates
C01B 17/64
Compounds containing selenium or tellurium
C01B 19/00
Binary compounds of nitrogen with metals, silicon or boron
C01B 21/06
Azides
C01B 21/08
Metal compounds containing nitrogen and hydrogen atoms, e.g
amides
C01B 21/092
Salts of carbamic acid
C01B 21/12
Salts of hydroxylamine
C01B 21/14
Salts of hydrazine
C01B 21/16
Salts of oxyacids of nitrogen other than nitric acid
C01B 21/20
Nitrites
C01B 21/50
Compounds containing a noble gas
C01B 23/00
Phosphides
C01B 25/08
Salts of oxyacids of phosphorus
C01B 25/16
Carbides
C01B 31/30
Compounds containing silicon
C01B 33/00
Compounds containing boron
C01B 35/00
Compounds having molecular sieve properties but not having
base exchange properties
C01B 37/00
Compounds having molecular sieve properties and base
exchange properties, e.g. crystalline zeolites
C01B 39/00
Cyanides
C01C 3/08
Salts of cyanic acid
C01C 3/14
Salts of cyanamide
C01C 3/16
Thiocyanates
C01C 3/20
Preparing inorganic compounds except carbon dioxide using
enzymes or fermentation processes
C12P 3/00
Manufacture of iron or steel
C21B
Obtaining metal compounds by metallurgical processes
C22B
Alloys
C22C
Electrolytic production of inorganic compounds or non-metals
C25B 1/00
Processes for producing compounds in which electricity is
simultaneously generated
C25B 5/00
Electrophoretic production of inorganic compounds or nonmetals
C25B 7/00
Electrolytic production of metals by electolysis of solutions
C25C 1/00
Electrolytic production of metals by electolysis of melts
C25C 3/00
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 sulphides 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 compounds
C07
Electrolytic production of metal powders or porous metal masses
C25C 5/00
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.
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 this subclass, according to the
metal.
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.
If an inorganic compound contains two or more metals of this subclass, and at least one
required moiety of this subclass, e.g. nitrate, sulfate, then classification is in the last relevant
main group.
If an inorganic compound contains a single metal and said compound contains two or more of
the required moieties of this subclass, e.g. nitrate, sulfate, then classification is in the last
relevant subgroup.
Compounds that are covered by different main groups because of alternatively specified metal
atoms are classified in each relevant main group.
Compounds that are covered by different subgroups because of alternatively specified
required moieties, e.g. nitrate, sulphate, 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 that interacts with a compound of this subclass which is intended to
preserve or maintain said compound, but which in fact chemically changes the compound is
classified according to the new compound formed.
Addition of a material which does not interact chemically with a compound of this subclass to
preserve or maintain said compound is classified with the compound of this subclass, unless a
specific subgroup has been provided for the 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, or
a compound containing a carbon atom, and satisfying
one of the following criteria:

the compound cannot have a carbon atom
having 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 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, fullerenes,
cyanogen, cyanogen halides, cyanamide, phosgene,
thiophosgene, hydrocyanic acid, isocyanic acid,
isothiocyanic acid, fulminic acid, unsubstituted
carbamic acid, and salts of the previously mentioned
acids and which contain the same limitations as to a
carbon atom.
Moiety
a specific part of a molecule
Non-metal
the elements H, Fl, C, Ch, Be, I, As, O, P, Si, N, B, Se,
Te, He, Ne, A, Kr, Xe, and Rn.
Organic compound
a compound containing a carbon atom and satisfying
one of the following criteria:

at least two carbon atoms having direct bonding
to each other, or

one carbon atom having direct bonding to at
least one hydrogen atom or halogen atom, or

one carbon atom having direct bonding to at
least one 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.
Transuranic elements
elements having higher atomic weights than uranium.
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 "---"