General methods for the preparation of organic compounds which are of general applicability, in which the method itself is of interest rather than the product. Such methods are:

Reduction and oxidation in general;

Reactions with or without formation or introduction of functional groups containing heteroatoms;

Halogenation;

Grignard reactions;

Introduction of protecting groups or activating groups;

Asymmetric syntheses;

Racemisation;

Complete or partial inversion;

Separation of optically-active compounds;

Introduction of isotopes of elements into organic compounds and isotopically labelled compounds per se;

Purification

Separation

Stabilisation

Apparatus suitable for carrying out the general methods for the preparation of organic compounds

General methods for preparation of organic compounds are organic transformations which can be classified in various other C07 subclasses but because of its general character are also classified in C07B. If for a wider range of compounds, which are to be classified in more C07 subclasses (C07D, C07C etc.), an OH group is introduced as an example, this would have to be classified in C07B 41/02. The formation of the hydroxy group would also have to be classified in the neighbouring types or groups of organic compounds for the various different subclasses of C07.

Biocidal, pest repellant, 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 subclass A61P.

Uses of cosmetics or similar toilet preparations are further classified in subclass A61Q.

General reduction reactions. Documents are classified in this class when there are more reductions disclosed in different classes. The reductions are applicable to a wide range of reactants.

Reductions are reactions where oxygen is removed and replaced by hydrogen (nitrobenzene to aminobenzene), which is different from hydrogenation reactions where hydrogen is added (conversion alkyne to alkene).

The term hydrogenation is sometimes used for reduction. In principle, hydrogenation involves addition of hydrogen only, whereas reduction involves addition of hydrogen and simultaneous removal of oxygen.

General oxidation reactions. Documents are classified in this class when there are more oxidations disclosed in different classes. The oxidations are applicable to a wide range of reactants. Oxidation can be seen as creating compounds by losing electrons (or the increase in oxidation state). An example of such a generic oxidation are oxidation of tetralin to tetralone as well as formation of epoxides from alkenes as well as formation of alcohols from cycloalkanes in the same document.

General organic reactions whereby no functional groups are formed. Classified are general organic reactions wherein only the type of bonding of a C-C bond is changed, like:

General organic reactions whereby no functional groups are formed. Classified are general organic reactions wherein a C-C bond is either created or broken like:

General organic reactions involving the creation of a carbon-halogen bond.

General organic reactions whereby a functional group containing oxygen is introduced. Reactions which are classified are:

General organic reactions whereby a functional group containing nitrogen is introduced. Reactions which are classified are:

General organic reactions whereby a functional group containing sulfur is introduced. Reactions which are classified are:

General organic reactions whereby a functional group other than oxygen nitrogen or sulfur is introduced.

An example would be trifluoromethylation of organic compounds.

General organic reactions involving Grignard reactions. An example would be the conversion of various ketones to substituted alcohols, wherein the products are heterocyclic group containing alcohols, aliphatic alcohols and alcohols contianing other functional groups like thio groups; the substrates containing these various other groups already.

General organic reactions wherein a protecting or activating group is introduced which does not belong to oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur functional groups. An example would be the protection of alocohols and/or diols with various 2-norbornylsilyl groups, wherein the alcohols are classified over various C07 groups, like acyclic alcohols, heterocyclic group containing alcohols etc.

Organic reactions wherein an asymmetric center is created.

Organic reactions wherein an asymmetric carbon atom with enantiomeric excess is racemised or wherein complete or partial inversion occurs at such a carbon atom. An example would be the asymmetric hydrogenation of acetophenone leading to (R)-1-phenethylalcohol.

In this main group processes involving separation of optically active compounds (enantiomers, diastereomers) are classified. Kinetic resolution is also classified here.

Introduction of non-natural istopes of elements into organic compounds and the labelled compounds per se. Distinction is made between the various compounds:

General organic reactions which do not fit anywhere else. Generation of free radicals and organic free radicals per se. (C07B 61/02).

An example would be the formation of free radicals of various compounds classified over the whole range of C07, like heterocyclic compounds, acyclic compounds like ketones, esters and amines etc.

Purification of organic compounds in general, separation of organic compounds in general. Also classified are stabilization of organic compounds or mixtures as well as the use of additives for stabilizing compounds (e.g. piperidine-N-oxides for stabilizing monomers).