IPC Revision WGDefinition Project D110
Subject: Compounds of alkali
metals
EPO Rapporteur Proposal
IPC range: C01D
2011-09-01
Title – C01D
Compounds of alkali metals, i.e. lithium, sodium, potassium,
rubidium, caesium, or francium
Definition statement
This subclass covers:
- Oxides or hydroxides; halides; sulfates ou sulfites; carbonates; nitrates of sodium, potassium
or other alkali metals in general
- Compounds of sodium or potassium not provided for elsewhere
- Lithium compounds, e.g. oxides, halides, sulfates, carbonates, nitrates
- Rubidium, caesium or francium compounds
- Methods of preparation, purification, dehydration
- Shaped products obtained with
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 oxide is classified in subclass C01G
rather than in this subclass.
This subclass is a function oriented entry for the chemical elements and their compounds and
does not cover the application or use of the elements and 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 this subclass or subclasses C01D to C01G,
according to the metal.
Complex ammine salts are classified in the relevant groups of this subclass, or 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 class
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:
Metal hydrides
C01B6/00
Salts of oxyacids or halogens
C01B11/00
Peroxides, salts of peroxyacids
C01B15/00
Sulfides or polysulfides of alkali metals
C01B17/22
Thiosulfates, dithionites, polythionates
C01B17/64
Compounds containing selenium or tellurium
C01B19/00
Binary compounds of nitrogen with metals
C01B21/06
Azides
C01B21/08
Metal amides
C01B21/092
Nitrites
C01B21/50
Phosphides
C01B25/08
Salts of oxyacids of phosphorous
C01B25/16
Carbides
C01B31/30
Compounds containing silicon
C01B33/00
Compounds containing boron
C01B35/00
Cyanides
C01C3/08
Salts of cyanic acid
C01C3/14
Salts of cyanamide
C01C3/16
Thiocyanates
C01C3/20
Preparation of elements or inorganic compounds except carbon
dioxide by using micro-organisms or enzymes
C12P3/00
Obtaining metal compounds from mixtures in a metallurgical
process
C22B
Production of non-metallic elements or inorganic compounds by
electrolysis or electrophoresis
C25B
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:
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:
Crystallisation
B01D9/00
Calcination
B01J6/00
Catalysts
B01J23/00,
B01J27/00,
B01J31/00
General methods of preparing halides
C01B9/00
Methods of preparing sulfites in general
C01B17/62
Shaped ceramic products characterised by their composition
C04B35/00
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.
In this subclass, tradenames that are often found in scientific and patent literature have been
used to define precisely the scope of the groups.
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.
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:
Binary compound
Inorganic compound
A compound containing and limited to two distinct
chemical elements.
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 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: 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
Non-metal
Preparation
A specific part of a molecule.
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)
Covers synthesis, purification, separation, stabilisation
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.
In patent documents the expression/word "---" is often used with the meaning "---"