C
SECTION C — CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
 C

Note(s)

  1. In section C, the definitions of groups of chemical elements are as follows:

    Alkali metals: Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Fr

    Alkaline earth metals: Ca, Sr, Ba, Ra

    Lanthanides: elements with atomic numbers 57 to 71 inclusive

    Rare earths: Sc, Y, Lanthanides

    Actinides: elements with atomic numbers 89 to 103 inclusive

    Refractory metals: Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, W

    Halogens: F, Cl, Br, I, At

    Noble gases: He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe, Rn

    Platinum group: Os, Ir, Pt, Ru, Rh, Pd

    Noble metals: Ag, Au, Platinum group

    Light metals: alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, Be, Al, Mg

    Heavy metals: metals other than light metals

    Iron group: Fe, Co, Ni

    Non-metals: H, B, C, Si, N, P, O, S, Se, Te, noble gases, halogens

    Metals: elements other than non-metals

    Transition elements: elements with atomic numbers 21 to 30 inclusive, 39 to 48 inclusive, 57 to 80 inclusive, 89 upwards

  2. Section C covers :
    1. pure chemistry, which covers inorganic compounds, organic compounds, macromolecular compounds, and their methods of preparation;
    2. applied chemistry, which covers compositions containing the above compounds, such as: glass, ceramics, fertilisers, plastics compositions, paints, products of the petroleum industry. It also covers certain compositions on account of their having particular properties rendering them suitable for certain purposes, as in the case of explosives, dyestuffs, adhesives, lubricants, and detergents;
    3. certain marginal industries, such as the manufacture of coke and of solid or gaseous fuels, the production and refining of oils, fats and waxes, the fermentation industry (e.g., brewing and wine-making), the sugar industry;
    4. certain operations or treatments, which are either purely mechanical, e.g., the mechanical treatment of leather and skins, or partly mechanical, e.g., the treatment of water or the prevention of corrosion in general;
    5. metallurgy, ferrous or non-ferrous alloys.
  3. In all sections of the IPC, in the absence of an indication to the contrary, the Periodic System of chemical elements referred to is the one with 8 groups as represented in the table below. For example, group C07F 3/00 "Compounds containing elements of the 2nd Group of the Periodic System" refers to the elements of columns IIa and IIb. [2009.01]

    1. In the case of operations, treatments, products or articles having both a chemical and a non-chemical part or aspect, the general rule is that the chemical part or aspect is covered by section C.
    2. In some of these cases, the chemical part or aspect brings with it a non-chemical one, even though purely mechanical, because this latter aspect either is essential to the operation or treatment or constitutes an important element thereof. It has seemed, in fact, more logical not to dissociate the different parts or aspects of a coherent whole. This is the case for applied chemistry and for the industries, operations and treatments mentioned in Notes (1)(c), (d) and (e). For example, furnaces peculiar to the manufacture of glass are covered by class C03 and not by class F27.
    3. There are, however, some exceptions in which the mechanical (or non-chemical) aspect carries with it the chemical aspect, for example:
    4. In still other cases, the pure chemical aspect is covered by section C and the applied chemical aspect by another section, such as A, B or F, e.g., the use of a substance or composition for:
    5. When the chemical and mechanical aspects are so closely interlocked that a neat and simple division is not possible, or when certain mechanical processes follow as a natural or logical continuation of a chemical treatment, section C may cover, in addition to the chemical aspect, a part only of the mechanical aspect, e.g., after-treatment of artificial stone, covered by class C04. In this latter case, a note or a reference is usually given to make the position clear, even if sometimes the division is rather arbitrary.
  
CHEMISTRY
 C08
ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON (manufacture or treatment of artificial threads, fibres, bristles or ribbons D01)
 C08

Note(s)

  1. Biocidal, pest repellant, pest attractant or plant growth regulatory activity of compounds or preparations is further classified in subclass A01P[8]
  2. Processes using enzymes or micro-organisms in order to:
    1. liberate, separate or purify a pre-existing compound or composition, or to
    2. treat textiles or clean solid surfaces of materials
    are further classified in subclass C12S.
 C08B
POLYSACCHARIDES; DERIVATIVES THEREOF (polysaccharides containing less than six saccharide radicals attached to each other by glycosidic linkages C07H; fermentation or enzyme-using processes C12P 19/00; sugar industry C13; production of cellulose D21)  [4]
 C08B

Note(s)

Therapeutic activity of compounds is further classified in subclass A61P[7]

 C08B
Subclass index
CELLULOSE AND DERIVATIVES THEREOF
Preparatory treatment of cellulose 1/00
Esters 3/00, 5/00, 7/00, 13/00, 17/00
Ethers 11/00, 13/00, 17/00
Xanthates 9/00
Other derivatives 15/00
Regeneration of cellulose 16/00
STARCH; DEGRADED OR NON-CHEMICALLY MODIFIED STARCH; AMYLOSE; AMYLOPECTIN 30/00
CHEMICAL DERIVATIVES OF STARCH, OF AMYLOSE OR OF AMYLOPECTIN
of starch 31/00
of amylose 33/00
of amylopectin 35/00
OTHER POLYSACCHARIDES 37/00

 C08C
TREATMENT OR CHEMICAL MODIFICATION OF RUBBERS
 C08C

Note(s)

This subclass covers:


 C08F
MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING CARBON-TO-CARBON UNSATURATED BONDS (production of liquid hydrocarbon mixtures from lower carbon number hydrocarbons, e.g. by oligomerisation, C10G 50/00; graft polymerisation of monomers containing carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds on to fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials D06M 14/00)  [2]
 C08F

Note(s)

  1. In this subclass, boron or silicon are considered as metals. [2]
  2. In this subclass, the following expression is used with the meaning indicated:
  3. Therapeutic activity of compounds is further classified in subclass A61P[7]
  4. In this subclass, in the absence of an indication to the contrary, a catalyst or a polymer is classified in the last appropriate place. [2]
  5. In this subclass:
    1. macromolecular compounds and their preparation are classified in the groups for the type of compound prepared. General processes for the preparation of macromolecular compounds according to more than one main group are classified in the groups for the processes employed (C08F 2/00-C08F 8/00). Processes for the preparation of macromolecular compounds are also classified in the groups for the types of reactions employed, if of interest; [2]
    2. subject matter relating to both homopolymers and copolymers is classified in groups C08F 10/00-C08F 38/00[2]
    3. subject matter limited to homopolymers is classified only in groups C08F 110/00-C08F 138/00[2]
    4. subject matter limited to copolymers is classified only in groups C08F 210/00-C08F 246/00[2]
    5. in groups C08F 210/00-C08F 238/00, in the absence of an indication to the contrary, a copolymer is classified according to the major monomeric component. [2]
  6. This subclass covers also compositions based on monomers which form macromolecular compounds classifiable in this subclass (paints C09D 4/00; adhesives C09J 4/00). [7]

    In this subclass: [7]

    1. if the monomers are defined, classification is made according to the polymer to be formed: [7]
    2. if the presence of compounding ingredients is of interest, classification is made in group C08F 2/44 (sensitising agents C08F 2/46; catalysts C08F 4/00); [7]
    3. if the compounding ingredients are of interest per se, classification is also made in subclass C08K[7]

 C08F
Subclass index
Processes of polymerisation; Catalysts 2/00; 4/00
Post-polymerisation treatments; Chemical modification 6/00; 8/00
Homopolymers and copolymers of compounds having one or more unsaturated aliphatic radicals, each having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond 10/00 - 30/00
Homopolymers 110/00 - 130/00
Copolymers 210/00 - 230/00
Homopolymers and copolymers of cyclic compounds having no unsaturated aliphatic radicals in a side chain and having one or more carbon-to-carbon double bonds in a ring 32/00, 34/00
Homopolymers 132/00, 134/00
Copolymers 232/00, 234/00
Homopolymers and copolymers of compounds having one or more unsaturated aliphatic radicals, at least one having two or more carbon-to-carbon double bonds 36/00
Homopolymers 136/00
Copolymers 236/00
Homopolymers and copolymers of compounds having one or more carbon-to-carbon triple bonds 38/00
Homopolymers 138/00
Copolymers 238/00
Copolymers of hydrocarbons and mineral oils 240/00
Copolymers of drying oils with other monomers 242/00
Coumarone-indene copolymers 244/00
Copolymers in which the nature of only the monomers in minority is defined 246/00
Graft polymers; Polymers cross-linked with unsaturated monomers 251/00 - 292/00
Block polymers 293/00 - 297/00
Macromolecular compounds obtained by interreacting polymers involving only carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bond reactions, in the absence of non-macromolecular monomers 299/00
Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass 301/00

 C08G
MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED OTHERWISE THAN BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING CARBON-TO-CARBON UNSATURATED BONDS  [2]
 C08G

Note(s)

  1. Therapeutic activity of compounds is further classified in subclass A61P[7]
  2. In this subclass, group C08G 18/00 takes precedence over the other groups. A further classification is given if the polymers are obtained by reactions forming specific linkages for which an appropriate group is provided. [2]
  3. Within each main group of this subclass, in the absence of an indication to the contrary, classification is made in the last appropriate place. [2]
  4. This subclass covers also compositions based on monomers which form macromolecular compounds classifiable in this subclass. [7]

    In this subclass: [7]

    1. 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; [7]
    2. 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[7]
    3. if the compounding ingredients are of interest per se, classification is also made in subclass C08K[7]

 C08G
Subclass index
MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED FROM ALDEHYDES OR KETONES 2/00 - 16/00
Polyacetals 2/00, 4/00
MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED FROM ISOCYANATES OR ISOTHIOCYANATES 18/00
EPOXY RESINS 59/00
MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED BY REACTIONS FORMING A LINKAGE IN THE MAIN CHAIN 61/00 - 79/00
a carbon-to-carbon link 61/00
a linkage containing oxygen 63/00 - 67/00
a linkage containing nitrogen 69/00 - 73/00
a linkage containing sulfur 75/00
a linkage containing silicon 77/00
a linkage containing atoms other than carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, or silicon 79/00
MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED BY INTERREACTING POLYMERS IN THE ABSENCE OF MONOMERS 81/00
OTHER MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS 83/00
GENERAL PROCESSES 85/00

 C08H
DERIVATIVES OF NATURAL MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS (polysaccharides C08B; natural rubber C08C; natural resins or their derivatives C09F; bituminous materials C10)
 C08H

Note(s)

Therapeutic activity of compounds is further classified in subclass A61P[7]


 C08J
WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H (working, e.g. shaping, of plastics B29)  [2]
 C08J

Note(s)

  1. This subclass covers processes, not covered by subclasses C08B-C08H, for treating polymers. [4]
  2. In this subclass, in the absence of an indication to the contrary, classification is made in the last appropriate place. [2]
  3. When classifying in this subclass, additional classification may be made in class C08L relating to the materials used. [8]

 C08K
USE OF INORGANIC OR NON-MACROMOLECULAR ORGANIC SUBSTANCES AS COMPOUNDING INGREDIENTS (pesticides, herbicides A01N; pharmaceuticals, cosmetics A61K; explosives C06B; paints, inks, varnishes, dyes, polishes, adhesives C09; lubricants C10M; detergents C11D; artificial filaments or fibres D01F; textile treating compositions D06)  [2]
 C08K

Note(s)

  1. In this subclass, in the absence of an indication to the contrary, an ingredient is classified in the last appropriate place. [2]
  2. In this subclass:
  3. In this subclass, any ingredient of a mixture which is not identified by the classification according to Note (2) above, and the use of which is determined to be novel and non-obvious, must also be classified in this subclass according to Note (1). The ingredient can be either a single compound or a composition in itself. [8]
  4. Any ingredient of a mixture which is not identified by the classification according to Notes (2) or (3) above, and which is considered to represent information of interest for search, may also be classified in this subclass according to Note (1). This can, for example, be the case when it is considered of interest to enable searching of mixtures using a combination of classification symbols. Such non-obligatory classification should be given as "additional information". [8]

 C08L
COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS (pesticides, herbicides A01N; pharmaceuticals, cosmetics A61K; explosives C06B; compositions based on polymerisable monomers C08F, C08G; paints, inks, varnishes, dyes, polishes, adhesives C09; lubricants C10M; detergents C11D; artificial filaments or fibres D01F; textile treating compositions D06)  [2]
 C08L

Note(s)

  1. In this subclass, the following term is used with the meaning indicated:
    • "rubber" includes:
      1. natural or conjugated diene rubbers;
      2. rubber in general (for a specific rubber, other than a natural rubber or a conjugated diene rubber, see the group provided for compositions of such macromolecular compounds). [2]
  2. In this subclass:
    1. compositions are classified according to the mutual proportions by weight of only the macromolecular constituents; [2]
    2. compositions are classified according to the macromolecular constituent or constituents present in the highest proportion; if all these constituents are present in equal proportions the composition is classified according to each of these constituents. [2]
  3. Any macromolecular constituent of a composition which is not identified by the classification according to Note (2) above, and the use of which is determined to be novel and non-obvious, must also be classified in this subclass. For example, a composition containing 80 parts polyethene and 20 parts polyvinyl chloride is classified in both groups C08L 23/00 and C08L 27/00, if the use of polyvinyl chloride is determined to be novel and non-obvious. [8]
  4. Any macromolecular constituent of a composition which is not identified by the classification according to Notes (2) or (3) above, and which is considered to represent information of interest for search, may also be classified in this subclass. This can, for example, be the case when it is considered of interest to enable searching of compositions using a combination of classification symbols. Such non-obligatory classification should be given as "additional information". [8]
 C08L
Subclass index
Compositions of polysaccharides or of their derivatives 1/00 - 5/00
Compositions of rubbers or of their derivatives 7/00 - 21/00
Compositions of macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions involving only carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers 23/00 - 57/00
Compositions of macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers 59/00 - 87/00
Compositions of natural macromolecular compounds or of derivatives thereof 89/00 - 99/00
Compositions of unspecified macromolecular compounds 101/00