IPC Revision WG – Definition Project
Project: D114
Class/subclass: C01G
Rapporteur Proposal
Date : March 13, 2006
Title – C01G
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 metals, i.e. Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, W;

platinum group metals, i.e. Os, Ir, Pt, Ru, Rh, Pd;

iron group metals, i.e. Fe, Co, Ni;

Mn, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, As, Tc, Ag, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, Re, Au, Hg, Tl, Pb, Bi, Po, Ac
and the elements having an atomic number of 91 or above.
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 of this class. 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 or medicinal preparations 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:

liberate, separate or purify a pre-existing compound or composition, or to

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
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 amides
C01B 21/092
Nitrites
C01B 21/50
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-
C01B 39/00
exchange properties, e.g. crystalline zeolites
Cyanides
C01C 3/08
Salts of cyanic acid
C01C 3/14
Salts of cyanamide
C01C 3/16
Thiocyanates
C01C 3/20
Treatment of inorganic materials to enhance their pigmenting or
filling properties; Preparation of carbon black
C09C
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 sulfides or polysulfides in general
C01B 17/20
Methods of preparing sulfites in general
C01B 17/62
Methods of preparing sulfates 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
Chemical libraries containing only inorganic compounds or
inorganic materials
C40B 40/18
Methods of creating chemical libraries
C40B 50/00
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.
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 compound contains two or more metals of this subclass, then a classification is
given in the last relevant main group.
If an inorganic compound contains a single metal and two or more non-metal moieties proper
for this subclass, then a classification is given 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 nonmetal 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:
Direct bonding
Requires a bond between two adjacent atoms.
Inorganic compound
A compound devoid of a carbon atom and containing a
non-metallic element 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: compounds
consisting of only carbon atoms, (e.g. 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.
Metal
Any element other than a non-metal.
Moiety
A specific part of a molecule.
Non-metal
The elements of hydrogen, carbon, 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).
Preparation
Covers synthesis, purification, separation, stabilisation,
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 "---"