Phosphonate based lithium complexes Description The present invention relates to phosphonate based lithium complexes of formula (I)

(I)

wherein R ¹ , X, and b are defined as below and their use in electrochemical cells.

Storing electrical energy is a subject of still growing interest. Efficient storage of electric energy allows electric energy to be generated when it is advantageous and to be used when needed. Secondary electrochemical cells are well suited for this purpose due to their reversible conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy and vice versa (rechargeability). Secondary lithium batteries are of special interest for energy storage since they provide high energy density and specific energy due to the small atomic weight of the lithium ion, and the high cell voltages that can be obtained (typically 3 to 5 V) in comparison with other battery systems. For that reason, these systems have become widely used as a power source for many portable electronics such as cellular phones, laptop computers, mini-cameras, etc.

In secondary lithium batteries like lithium ion batteries organic carbonates, ethers, esters and ionic liquids are used as sufficiently polar solvents for solvating the conducting salt(s). Most state of the art lithium ion batteries in general comprise not a single solvent but a solvent mixture of different organic aprotic solvents.

Besides solvent(s) and conducting salt(s) an electrolyte composition usually contains further additives to improve certain properties of the electrolyte composition and of the electrochemical cell comprising said electrolyte composition. Common additives are for example flame retardants, overcharge protection additives and film forming additives which react during first charge/discharge cycle on the electrode surface thereby forming a film on the electrode.

Recently novel electrolyte additives were developed based on P-containing acid derivatives comprising additional functional groups. US 8,734,668 B2 describes electrolyte compositions comprising silicon containing compounds which may additionally contain hetero atoms like B, Al, P, S, F, CI, Br, and I. US 8,993,158 B2 discloses electrolyte compositions for use in lithium ion batteries comprising silyl ester group-containing phosphonic acid derivatives to inhibit increase of the battery resistance and deterioration of the battery performance in a high-temperature environment. US 2013/0164604 A1 refers to the use of phosphite esters, phosphonate esters and

bisphosphonate esters as additives in electrolyte compositions for lithium ion batteries.

EP 3 054 521 A1 describes electrolyte compositions for use in lithium ion batteries based inter alia on a phosphonate, phosphite or carboxylate and comprising an 0-PF ₅ -H or 0-PF ₅ -Li group.

For increasing the performance of lithium batteries novel cathode active materials are used. These cathode active materials have higher specific energies and/or higher working voltages. Examples of such cathode active materials are high energy NCM (lithiated mixed oxides of Ni, Co and Mn, so-called HE-NCM), high voltage manganese spinels with layer structure containing additional transition metals and lithium nickel cobalt aluminium oxides (also named NCA). For some of these cathode active materials high cut-off voltages have to be used during charging to obtain the desired high specific energies. These cathode active materials place new demands on the electrolyte compositions used, e.g. in regard to stability towards high voltage, O2 release, solvation of transition metal cations leading to metal dissolution, gas evolution upon storage, etc.

There is still the need for improving the performance of electrochemical cells, in particular the performance of electrochemical cells comprising the afore-mentioned cathode materials, e.g. in respect to high capacity retention, good long-term performance, high safety, reduced gas evolution, and decreased impedance build-up.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide additives for use in electrochemical cells to improve the performance of the electrochemical cells, e.g. in respect to high capacity retention, good long-term performance, high safety, reduced gas evolution, and decreased impedance build-up. In particular additives should be provided to improve the performance of

electrochemical cells comprising cathode active materials having high specific energies and/or high working voltages. It is another object of the invention to provide electrolyte compositions for electrochemical cells, resulting in electrochemical cells with high capacity retention, good long- term performance and high safety. In particular electrolyte composition for the use with cathode active materials having high specific energies and/or high working voltages should be provided. It is also an object of the present invention to provide electrochemical cells showing high capacity retention, good long-term performance, high safety, reduced gas evolution, and decreased impedance build-up.

Accordingly, the complex compounds of formula (I) as defined below are provided:

(I)

wherein

R ¹ is selected from H, F, R ² , OR ² , OSi(R ³ R ⁴ R ⁵ ), and 0-XLi ⁺ ;

R ² is selected from C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C5-C7 (hetero)aryl, and C6-C13 (het- ero)aralkyl which may be substituted by one or more substituents selected from OSi(CH3)3 and F;

R ³ , R ⁴ , and R ⁵ are independently from each other selected from H, F, R ² , OR ² , and OSi(R ⁶ )3; R ⁶ is independently at each occurrence selected from H, F, R ² and OR ² ;

X is selected from Y ¹ (R ⁷ kb and Y ² (R ⁸ ) ₆ - _b ;

Y is B or AI;

Y ² is P, Sb or As;

in case X is Y ¹ b is an integer from 1 to 4;

in case X is Y ² b is an integer from 1 to 6;

R ⁷ and R ⁸ are independently at each occurrence selected from F, R ⁹ and OR ⁹ ;

R ⁹ is selected from C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C5-C7 (hetero)aryl, and C6-C13 (het- ero)aralkyl which may be substituted by one or more F;

° Ω)

wherein one pair of R ⁷ or one or two pairs of R ⁸ may be combined and jointly be forming a cycle with Y ¹ or Y ² , respectively; is a bidentate radical derived from a 1 ,2-, 1 ,3- or 1 ,4-diol, from a 1 ,2- or 1 ,3- or 1 ,4-dicar- boxylic acid or from a 1 ,2-, 1 ,3- or 1 ,4-hydroxycarboxylic acid;

and wherein R ¹ may be combined with one of R ⁷ or R ⁸ , respectively, and jointly forming a cycle with the POX-group.

The complex compounds of formula (I) may be used as additives in electrochemical cells, e.g. as cathode or anode active additives. Furthermore, electrolyte compositions for electrochemical cells containing the complex compounds of formula (I) and electrochemical cells comprising said electrolyte composition containing a complex compound of formula (I) are provided. Such electrochemical cells exhibit good capacity retention, good long-term performance, decreased cell resistance and reduced gas generation.

Figure 1 shows parts of the 1 H NMR spectrum of EL8

Figure 2 shows a part of the 19F NMR spectrum of EL8.

Figure 3 shows parts of the ¹⁹ F NMR spectra of EL9, EL10, EL1 1 and EL12. the following the invention is described

A first aspect of the inventions are the complex compounds of formula (I)

(I)

wherein

R ¹ is selected from H, F, R ² , OR ² , OSi(R ³ R ⁴ R ⁵ ), and 0-XLi ⁺ ;

R ² is selected from C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C5-C7 (hetero)aryl, and C6-C13 (hetero)aralkyl which may be substituted by one or more substituents selected from OSi(CH ₃ ) ₃ and F;

R ³ , R ⁴ , and R ⁵ are independently from each other selected from H, F, R ² , OR ² , and OSi(R ⁶ )3; R ⁶ is independently at each occurrence selected from H, F, R ² and OR ² ;

X is selected from Y ¹ (R ⁷ kb and Y ² (R ⁸ ) ₆ - _b ;

Y is B or AI;

Y ² is P, Sb or As;

in case X is Y ¹ b is an integer from 1 to 4;

in case X is Y ² b is an integer from 1 to 6;

R ⁷ and R ⁸ are independently at each occurrence selected from F, R ⁹ and OR ⁹ ;

R ⁹ is selected from C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C5-C7 (hetero)aryl, and C6-C13 (hetero)aralkyl which may be substituted by one or more F;

O wherein one pair of R ⁷ or one or two pairs of R ⁸ may be combined and jointly be ^u ) forming a cycle with Y ¹ or Y ² , respectively; is a bidentate radical derived from a 1 ,2-, 1 ,3- or 1 ,4-diol, from a 1 ,2-, 1 ,3- or 1 ,4- dicarboxylic acid or from a 1 ,2-, 1 ,3- or 1 ,4-hydroxycarboxylic acid;

and wherein R ¹ may be combined with one of R ⁷ or R ⁸ , respectively, and jointly forming a cycle with the POX-group.

The term "C1-C6 alkyl" as used herein means a straight or branched saturated hydrocarbon group with 1 to 6 carbon atoms having one free valence, e.g., methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, iso-pentyl, 2,2-dimethylpropyl, n-hexyl, and the like.

Preferred are C1-C4 alkyl, more preferred are methyl, ethyl, and n- and iso-propyl and most preferred is methyl. The term "C2-C6 alkenyl" as used herein refers to an unsaturated straight or branched hydrocarbon group with 2 to 6 carbon atoms having one free valence. Unsaturated means that the alkenyl group contains at least one C-C double bond. C2-C6 alkenyl includes for example ethenyl, 1 -propenyl, 2-propenyl, 1 -n-butenyl, 2-n-butenyl, iso-butenyl, 1 -pentenyl, 1 -hexenyl, and the like. Preferred are C2-C4 alkenyl groups, more preferred are ethenyl and propenyl, most preferred is 1 -propen-3-yl, also called allyl.

The term "C2 to C6 alkynyl" as used herein refers to an unsaturated straight or branched hydrocarbon group with 2 to 6 carbon atoms having one free valence, wherein the hydrocarbon group contains at least one C-C triple bond. C2-C6 alkynyl includes for example ethynyl, propynyl, 1 -n-butinyl, 2-n-butynyl, iso-butinyl, 1 -pentynyl, 1 -hexynyl, and the like. Preferred are C2-C4 alkynyl, more preferred are ethynyl and 1 -propyn-3-yl (propargyl).

The term "C ₅ to C7 (hetero)aryl" as used herein denotes an aromatic 5- to 7-membered hydrocarbon cycle or condensed cycles having one free valence wherein one or more of the C- atoms of the aromatic cycle(s) may be replaced independently from each other by a heteroatom selected from N, S, O and P. Examples of C5-C7 (hetero)aryl are pyrrolyl, furanyl, thiophenyl, pyridinyl, pyranyl, thiopyranyl, and phenyl. Preferred is phenyl. The term "C6-C13 (hetero)aralkyl" as used herein denotes an aromatic 5- to 7-membered hydrocarbon cycle substituted by one or more C1-C6 alkyl wherein one or more of the C-atoms of the aromatic cycle may be replaced independently from each other by a heteroatom selected from N, S, O and P. The C6-C13 (hetero)aralkyl group contains in total 6 to 13 C- and heteroatoms and has one free valence. The free valence may be located in the aromatic cycle or in a C1-C6 alkyl group, i.e. C6-C13 (hetero)aralkyl group may be bound via the (hetero)aromatic part or via the alkyl part of the group. Examples of C6-C13 (hetero)aralkyl are methylphenyl, 2- methylpyridyl, 1 ,2-dimethylphenyl, 1 ,3-dimethylphenyl, 1 ,4-dimethylphenyl, ethyl phenyl, 2- propylphenyl, benzyl, 2-CH2-pyridyl, and the like.

is a bidentate radical derived from a 1 ,2-, 1 ,3- or 1 ,4-diol, from a 1 ,2-, 1 ,3- or 1 ,4-dicarbox- ylic acid or from a 1 ,2-, 1 ,3- or 1 ,4-hydroxycarboxylic acid. The bidentate radical is derived by abstracting two hydrogens from the two OH-groups present in the diol, hydroxycarboxylic acid or the dicarboxylic acid. Examples of suited diols, hydroxycarboxylic acids and dicarboxylic acids from which may be derived are 1 ,2-dihydroxy benzene, salicylic acid, oxalic acid, malo- nic acid, maleic acid, and succinic acid. Abstracting two hydrogens from the two OH-groups in 1 ,2-, 1 ,3- or 1 ,4 from these molecules results in bidentate radicals which are called catecholato, salicylate, oxalato, malonato, maleato and succinato, respectively. Preferably is derived O from a 1 ,2-, 1 ,3- or 1 ,4-dicarboxylic acid, more preferred ) is derived from oxalic acid, malonic acid, maleic acid, and succinic acid, in particular preferred from oxalic acid.

According to one embodiment of the invention X contains at least one group derived from a 1 ,2-, 1 ,3- or 1 ,4-diol, from a 1 ,2- or 1 ,3- or 1 ,4-dicarboxy acid or from a 1 ,2-, 1 ,3- or 1 ,4-hy- droxycarboxylic acid, preferably X contains at least one group derived from lic acid, leic acid, malonic acid, or succinic acid, more preferred X contains at least one group derived from oxalic acid. This embodiment is specially preferred if X is B or P, in particular if X is B and the third R ⁷ is F.

R ¹ is selected from H, F, R ² , OR ² , OSi(R ³ R ⁴ R ⁵ ), and 0-X ^" Li ⁺ and R ¹ may be combined with one of the substituents of X, i.e. R ¹ may be combined with one of R ⁷ or R ⁸ and jointly forming a cycle with the POX-group. Such cycles may e.g. be a 4-membered cycle wherein R ¹ and R ⁷ or R ⁸ , respectively, are jointly O or an 8-membered cycle wherein R ¹ and R ⁷ or R ⁸ , respectively, are jointly O-PF4-O-POX-O-PF4-O.

R ² is selected from C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C5-C7 (hetero)aryl, and C6-C13 (hetero)aralkyl which may be substituted by one or more substituents selected from OSi(CH3)3 and F; preferably R ² is selected from C1-C6 alkyl, which may be substituted by one or more substituents selected from OSi(CH3)3 and F.

R ³ , R ⁴ , and R ⁵ are independently from each other selected from H, F, R ² , OR ² , and OSi(R ⁶ )3. Preferably R ³ , R ⁴ , and R ⁵ are independently from each other selected from R ² , OR ² , and OSi(R ⁶ ), more preferred R ³ , R ⁴ , and R ⁵ are independently from each other selected from R ² , even more preferred R ³ , R ⁴ , and R ⁵ are independently from each other selected from C1-C6 alkyl, which may be substituted by one or more substituents selected from OSi(CH3)3 and F, in particular preferred R ³ , R ⁴ , and R ⁵ are independently from each other selected from Ci-C ₄ alkyl. R ³ , R ⁴ , and R ⁵ may be same or different, preferably R ³ , R ⁴ , and R ⁵ are same. R ⁶ is independently at each occurrence selected from H, F, R ² and OR ² , "independently at each occurrence" means, that each R ⁶ may be same or different from the other R ⁶ present. Preferably R ⁶ is independently at each occurrence selected from R ² and OR ² , even more preferred R ⁶ is independently at each occurrence selected from R ² and most preferred R ⁶ is independently at each occurrence selected from Ci-C ₄ alkyl. The three R ⁶ present in the OSi(R ⁶ )3 group may be same or different, preferably the three R ⁶ are same. Preferably R ¹ is R ² , OR ² , OSi(R ³ R ⁴ R ⁵ ) or 0-X ^" Li ⁺ , more preferred R ¹ is R ² , OR ² , OSi(R ³ R ⁴ R ⁵ ) or 0-X ^" Li ⁺ wherein R ² is C1-C6 alkyl which may be substituted by one or more substituents selected from OSi(CH ₃ )3 and F. Even more preferred R ¹ is selected from R ² , OR ² , OSi(R ³ R ⁴ R ⁵ ) and Ο-Χ- Li ⁺ wherein R ³ , R ⁴ , and R ⁵ are selected from H, F, R ² , OR ² , and OSi(R ² ₃ )3 and R ² is Ci-C ₆ alkyl which may be substituted by one or more substituents selected from OSi(CH3)3 and F. Most preferred R ¹ is OSi(R ³ R ⁴ R ⁵ ) or 0-X ^" Li ⁺ .

X is selected from Y ¹ (R ⁷ k _b and Y ² (R ⁸ ) ₆ - _b . Y ¹ is B or Al, preferably B, and Y ² is P, Sb or As, preferably P.

In case X is Y ¹ b is an integer from 1 to 4, i.e. b may be 1 , 2, 3 or 4. Preferably b is > 1.

In case X is Y ² b is an integer from 1 to 6, i.e. b may be 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6. Preferably b is 1.

X may be AI(R ⁷ ) ₄ - _b , B(R ⁷ ) _4-b , Sb(R ⁸ ) ₆ -b, As(R ⁸ ) ₆ - _b or P(R ⁸ ) ₆ - _b . Preferably X is B(R ⁷ ) _4-b or P(R ⁸ ) ₆ - _b . R ⁷ and R ⁸ are independently at each occurrence selected from R ⁹ and OR ⁹ , wherein one pair of R ⁷ or one or two pairs of R ⁸ may be combined and jointly be forming a cycle with Y ¹ or Y ² , respectively, "independently at each occurrence" means, that each R ⁷ of a Y ¹ (R ⁷ ) _4-b group may be same or different from other R ⁷ present in the Y ¹ (R ⁷ ) _4-b group and each R ⁸ of a Y ² (R ⁸ )6- _b group may be same or different from other R ⁸ being present in a Y ² (R ⁸ )6- _b group.

R ⁹ is selected from C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C5-C7 (hetero)aryl, and C6-C13 (het- ero)aralkyl which may be substituted by one or more F, preferably R ⁹ is selected from C1-C6 alkyl, which may be substituted by one or more F, more preferred R ⁹ is selected from C1-C6 alkyl, which is substituted by one or more F.

In case of X = Y ¹ (R ⁷ ) _4-b none, one, two or three R ⁷ are present, which are selected inde- pendently from each other from F, R ⁹ and OR ⁹ . Preferably R ⁷ is independently selected from F and OR ⁹ , more preferred from F and OR ⁹ wherein R ⁹ is C1-C6 alkyl, which may be substituted by one or more F, even more preferred R ⁷ is selected from F and OR ⁹ wherein R ⁹ is C1-C6 alkyl, which is substituted by o or more F. In case two or three R ⁷ are present one pair of R ⁷ may be combined and jointly be forming a cycle with Y ¹ . Preferably less than three R ⁷ are present.

In case of X = Y ² (R ⁸ )6- _b none, one, two, three, four or five R ⁸ are present, which are selected independently from each other from F, R ⁹ and OR ⁹ . Preferably R ⁸ is independently selected from F and R ⁹ , more preferred from F and C1-C6 alkyl, which may be substituted by one or more F, even more preferred R ⁷ is selected from F and C1-C6 alkyl, which is substituted by one or more O

F. In case at least two R ⁸ are present, one pair of R ⁸ may be combined and jointly be ) forming a cycl th Y ² . In case at least four R ⁸ are present, two pairs of R ⁸ may be combined and jointly be each forming a cycle with Y ² . Preferably five R ⁸ are present. A pair of R denotes two R, e.g. a pair of R ⁷ means two of R ⁷ and two pairs of R ⁸ mean two times two R ⁸ .

According to one embodiment R ⁷ and R ⁸ are independently at each occurrence selected from F, OC1-C6 alkyl, and C1-C6 alkyl which may be substituted by at least one F and wherein one pair of R ⁷ or one or two pairs of R ⁸ may be combined and jointly be forming a cycle with Y ¹ or Y ² , respectively, and/or one or more of R ⁷ or R ⁸ may be combined with R ¹ and jointly forming a cycle with the POX-group, preferably R ⁷ and R ⁸ are independently at each occurrence selected from F, OC1-C6 alkyl, and C1-C6 alkyl substituted by at least one F and wherein one pair of R ⁷ or one or two pairs of R ⁸ may be combined and jointly be forming a cycle with Y ¹ or Y ² , re- spectively. More preferred and R ⁸ are F wherein one pair of R ⁷ or one or two pairs of R ⁸ may be combined and jointly be forming a cycle with Y ¹ or Y ² , respectively.

Preferred complex compounds of formula (I) are those having one of the following formulae (la) to (lc) as defined below:

(la)

wherein

Y is Al, B, Sb, As or P, preferably B or P; each R ^A is independently selected from F, OC1-OC6 alkyi, and C1-C6 alkyi substituted by at least one F and two R ^A may be combined and jointly be ; and

R ¹ is OSi(R ³ R ⁴ R ⁵ );

(lb)

wherein

Y is Al, B, Sb, As or P, preferably B or P;

in case Y is Al or B a is 4 and b is an integer from 1 to 4;

in case Y is Sb, As or P a is 6 and b is an integer from 1 to 6;

each R ^A is independently selected from F, OC1-O alkyi, and C1-C6 alkyi substituted by at least on F and two R ^A may be combined and jointly be forming a cycle with Y, and

each R ^B is independently selected from F, OC1-O lkyi, and C1-C6 alkyi substituted by at least on F and two R ^B may be combined and jointly be forming a cycle with Y.

Examples of complex compounds of formula (I) are

O 0

II II

H- ^■ P— O— PF ₅ Li ⁺ H P— 0— PF ₂ (C ₂ F ₅ ) ₃ Li ⁺

OSi(CH ₃ ) ₃ OSi(CH ₃ ) ₃ 1 ), (2),

(3), (4),

(5), (6),

(1 1 ) (12)

The compounds of formula (I) are producible by reaction of P-containing compounds of formula (II) with lithium complex salts of formula (III) within a non-aqueous solvent or solvent mixture. P- containing compounds of formula (II) are

H

0=P I T A

— OSiR R R

R'

(II)

wherein R ¹ is selected from H, F, R ² , OR ² , and OSi(R ³ R ⁴ R ⁵ );

R ² is selected from C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C5-C7 (hetero)aryl, and C6-C13 (hetero)aralkyl which may be substituted by one or more substituents selected from OSi(CH ₃ ) ₃ and F;

R ³ , R ⁴ , and R ⁵ are independently from each other selected from H, F, R ² , OR ² , and OSi(R ⁶ )3; R ⁶ is independently at each occurrence selected from H, F, R ² and OR ² .

Preferred compounds of formula (II) are PH(0)R ¹ OSi(Ci-C6 alkyl)3, more preferred

PH(0)OSi(R ³ R ⁴ R ⁵ )OSi(Ci-C ₆ alkyl) ₃ e.g. PH(0)OSi(Ci-C ₆ alkyl) ₃ OSi(Ci-C ₆ alkyl) ₃ .

The lithium complex salts of formula (III) have the formula

Li ⁺ [X-F]- (III), wherein X is defined as above or as being preferred. It is possible to use one or more lithium complex salts of formula (III). Examples of P-containing compounds of formula (II) are bis(trimethylsilyl)phosphite, methyl tri- methylsilyl phosphite, and ethyl trimethylsilyl phosphite. The preparation of the P-containing compounds of formula (II) is known to the person skilled in the art. A description of a synthesis of bis(trimethylsilyl) phosphite may for example be found in M. Sekine et al., J. Org. Chem., Vol. 46 (1981 ), pages 2097 to 2107.

Examples of Li ⁺ [X-F]- are UAIF4, L1BF4, lithium difluoro oxalato borate, LiPF6, LiPF3(C2F ₅ )3, lithium difluoro (bisoxalato) phosphate, lithium tetrafluoro (oxalato) phosphate, LiSbF6, and LiAsF6.

Preferred complex compounds of formula (I) are producible by reaction of compounds of for- mula (II) with L1BF4, lithium difluoro oxalato borate or LiPF6.

The non-aqueous solvent or solvent mixture is preferably selected from the solvents described below as component (i) of the electrolyte composition and mixtures thereof. The present invention also provides a process for preparing the compounds of formula (I) comprising the steps

(a) providing a non-aqueous solvent or solvent mixture, a P-containing compound of formula (II) as defined above, and a lithium complex salt of formula (III) as defined above;

(b) preparing a mixture of the non-aqueous solvent or solvent mixture, the P-containing com- pound of formula (II), and the lithium complex salt of formula (III);

(c) optionally isolating the compounds of formula (I) from the reaction mixture obtained in step (b). For preparation of the complex compounds of formula (I) the P-containing compounds of formula (II) and the lithium complex salts of formula (III) are usually both added to a non-aqueous solvent or solvent mixture. It might be advantageous to prepare firstly a solution of Li ⁺ [X-F]- in the non-aqueous solvent or solvent mixture and adding the P-containing compound of formula (II) to this solution. During the reaction the Si(R ³ R ⁴ R ⁵ ) group of the compound of formula (II) and a fluorine atom stemming from the lithium complex salt react wherein FSi(R ³ R ⁴ R ⁵ ) and a complex compound of formula (I) is formed. In case the P-containing compound of formula (II) contains a OSi(R ³ R ⁴ R ⁵ ) group, this group may also react with a second fluorine atom of the same molecule or with a second molecule of the lithium complex salt of formula (III). In case the lith- ium complex salt of formula (III) contains more than one fluorine atom, it is also possible that the complex compound of formula (I) formed by reaction of one molecule of the P-containing compound of formula (II) and one molecule of lithium complex salt of formula (III) reacts with a second molecule of the P-containing compound of formula (II). Usually a mixture of different reaction products is formed during the reaction.

Another aspect of the present invention is the use of the compounds of formula (I) as additives in electrochemical cells, e.g. in lithium ion capacitors, double layer capacitors and lithium batteries, in particular in secondary lithium batteries as described below. Preferably the compounds of formula (I) are used in the electrolyte compositions for electrochemical cells. The compounds of formula (I) are capable of interacting with the cathode at the cathode-electrolyte interface and with the anode at the anode-electrolyte interface thereby reducing undesired reactions of the electrode active material with the electrolyte composition, e.g. inhibiting direct contact of components of the electrolyte composition with the cathode or anode active material by forming a film on the cathode or anode or by inhibiting the formation of electrolyte decomposition products det- rimental for the cell operation (e.g. HF). The direct contact of electrolyte composition with the cathode or the anode often leads to decomposition reactions. The complex compounds of formula (I) can be used as cathode active additive and as anode active additive.

The complex compounds of formula (I) can also be used as additives for reducing gas genera- tion in electrolyte compositions for electrochemical cells and for reducing the impedance built-up in the electrochemical cells, e.g. in lithium ion capacitors, double layer capacitors and lithium batteries, in particular in secondary lithium batteries as described below. Undesired generation of gas within an electrochemical cell is a safety issue since the increase of the internal pressure may lead to leakage of the cell and loss of electrolyte composition increasing the possibility of ignition and emission of unhealthy compounds. Increased impedance leads to undesired degradation of the rate capabilities of the cell.

The use of the complex compounds of formula (I) wherein the complex compound of formula (I) is generated in situ in the electrolyte composition of the electrochemical cell is in particular pre- ferred. The complex compounds of formula (I) may be prepared in situ by adding one or more P-containing compounds of formula (II) and one or more lithium complex salts of formula (III) to the electrolyte composition of the electrochemical cells. The lithium complex salts of formula (III) are often used as conducting salts in the electrolyte composition, e.g. UAIF4, LiBF ₄ , lithium difluoro oxalato borate, LiPF6, LiPF3(C2F ₅ ) 3, lithium difluoro (bisoxalato) phosphate, LiSbF6, and LiAsF6. In case the lithium complex salts of formula (III) are used as conducting salt(s) of the electrolyte composition the complex compounds of formula (I) may be prepared in situ by just adding the P-containing compound of formula (II) to the electrolyte composition.

The complex compounds of formula (I) are usually used in the electrolyte compositions in the concentrations given below for the electrolyte compositions containing one or more complex compounds of formula (I) by adding the desired amounts of the complex compound(s) of for- mula (I) to the electrolyte composition or by preparing the desired amount in situ by adding sufficient amounts of P-containing compounds of formula (II) and lithium complex salts of formula (III). It is also possible to prepare a non-aqueous solution of the complex compounds of formula (I) by adding sufficient amounts of P-containing compounds of formula (II) and lithium complex salts of formula (III) to a solvent or solvent mixture and add the resulting reaction mixture to an electrolyte composition. It is possible to use one, two, three or more complex compounds of formula (I) in the electrolyte.

Another aspect of the invention are electrolyte compositions containing at least one complex compound of formula (I). The electrolyte compositions may contain one, two, three or more complex compounds of formula (I). In particular in case the complex compound of formula (I) is prepared in situ in the electrolyte composition several different complex compounds of formula (I) may be formed in the electrolyte composition. The electrolyte compositions may be prepared in situ e.g. by adding a P-containing compound of formula (II) to an electrolyte composition containing at least one non-aqueous solvent and a lithium complex salt of formula (III), optionally one or more additional lithium conducting salts and optionally one or more additives. The lithium complex salts of formula (III) may also function as lithium conducting salt. Therefore, another aspect of the present invention are electrolyte compositions obtainable by providing an electrolyte composition containing at least one non-aqueous solvent, at least one lithium conducting salt selected from lithium complex salts of formula (III), optionally one or more additives and optionally one or more lithium conducting salts different from lithium complex salts of formula (III) and adding at least one P-containing compound of formula (II). In case one or more additive and/or lithium conducting salts different from lithium complex salts of formula (III) are present in the electrolyte composition, the additives and/or lithium conducting salts may also be after the addition of the P-containing compound of formula (II) to the electrolyte composition. Viewed chemically, an electrolyte composition is any composition that comprises free ions and as a result is electrically conductive. The electrolyte composition functions as a medium that transfers ions participating in the electrochemical reactions taking place in an electrochemical cell. In case of a lithium battery the ion participating in the electrochemical reaction is usually the lithium ion. The most common electrolyte composition is an ionic solution, although molten electrolyte compositions and solid electrolyte compositions are likewise possible. An electrolyte composition of the invention is therefore an electrically conductive medium, primarily due to the presence of at least one substance which is present in a dissolved and/or molten state, i.e., an electrical conductivity supported by movement of ionic species. In liquid or gel electrolyte compositions the conducting salt is usually solvated in one or more aprotic organic solvents.

The electrolyte composition usually contains

(i) at least one aprotic organic solvent;

(ii) at least one lithium ion containing conducting salt;

(iii) at least one complex compound of formula (I); and

(iv) optionally one or more additives. The electrolyte composition contains at least one aprotic organic solvent (i). The at least one aprotic organic solvent may be selected from optionally fluorinated aprotic organic solvents, i.e. from fluorinated and non-fluorinated aprotic organic solvents. The electrolyte composition may contain a mixture of fluorinated and non-fluorinated aprotic organic solvents. The aprotic organic solvent is preferably selected from optionally fluorinated cyclic and acyclic organic carbonates, optionally fluorinated acyclic ethers and polyethers, optionally fluorinated cyclic ethers, optionally fluorinated cyclic and acyclic acetales and ketales, optionally fluorinated orthocarboxylic acids esters, optionally fluorinated cyclic and acyclic esters and diesters of carboxylic acids, optionally fluorinated cyclic and acyclic sulfones, optionally fluorinated cyclic and acyclic nitriles and dinitriles and optionally fluorinated cyclic and acyclic phosphates and mixtures thereof.

Examples of optionally fluorinated cyclic carbonates are ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC) and butylene carbonate (BC), wherein one or more H may be substituted by F and/or an Ci to C ₄ alkyl group, e.g. 4-methyl ethylene carbonate, monofluoroethylene carbonate (FEC), and cis- and trans-difluoroethylene carbonate. Preferred optionally fluorinated cyclic carbonates are ethylene carbonate, monofluoroethylene carbonate, and propylene carbonate, in particular ethylene carbonate. Examples of optionally fluorinated acyclic carbonates are di-Ci-Cio-alkylcarbonates, wherein each alkyl group is selected independently from each other and wherein one or more H may be substituted by F. Preferred are optionally fluorinated di-C1-C4-alkylcarbonat.es. Examples are e.g. diethyl carbonate (DEC), ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methyl carbonate (TFEMC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), trifluoromethyl methyl carbonate (TFMMC), and methylpropyl carbonate. Preferred acyclic carbonates are diethyl carbonate (DEC), ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), and dimethyl carbonate (DMC).

In one embodiment of the invention the electrolyte composition contains mixtures of optionally fluorinated acyclic organic carbonates and cyclic organic carbonates at a ratio by weight of from 1 :10 to 10:1 , preferred of from 3:1 to 1 :1. Examples of optionally fluorinated acyclic ethers and polyethers are optionally fluorinated di-Ci- Cio-alkylethers, optionally fluorinated di-Ci-C4-alkyl-C2-C6-alkylene ethers, optionally fluorinated polyethers, and fluorinated ethers of formula R'-(0-CF _p H2-p)q-R" wherein R' is a C1-C10 alkyl group or a C3-C10 cycloalkyl group, wherein one or more H of an alkyl and/or cycloalkyl group are substituted by F; R" is H, F, a C1-C10 alkyl group, or a C3-C10 cycloalkyl group, wherein one or more H of an alkyl and/or cycloalkyl group are substituted by F; p is 1 or 2; and q is 1 , 2 or 3.

According to the invention each alkyl group of the optionally fluorinated di-Ci-Cio-alkylethers is selected independently from the other wherein one or more H of an alkyl group may be substi- tuted by F. Examples of optionally fluorinated di-Ci-Cio-alkylethers are dimethylether, ethyl- methylether, diethylether, methylpropylether, diisopropylether, di-n-butylether, 1 ,1 ,2,2-tetrafluo- roethyl-2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl ether (CF2HCF2CH2OCF2CF2H), and 1 H,1 H,5H-perfluoropentyl- 1 ,1 ,2,2-tetrafluoroethylether Examples of optionally fluorinated di-Ci-C4-alkyl-C2-C6-alkylene ethers are 1 ,2-dimethoxye- thane, 1 ,2-diethoxyethane, diglyme (diethylene glycol dimethyl ether), triglyme (triethyleneglycol dimethyl ether), tetraglyme (tetraethyleneglycol dimethyl ether), and diethylenglycoldiethylether.

Examples of suitable optionally fluorinated polyethers are polyalkylene glycols wherein one or more H of an alkyl or alkylene group may be substituted by F, preferably poly-Ci-C4-alkylene glycols and especially polyethylene glycols. Polyethylene glycols may comprise up to 20 mol% of one or more Ci-C4-alkylene glycols in copolymerized form. Polyalkylene glycols are preferably dimethyl- or diethyl- end-capped polyalkylene glycols. The molecular weight M _w of suitable polyalkylene glycols and especially of suitable polyethylene glycols may be at least 400 g/mol. The molecular weight M _w of suitable polyalkylene glycols and especially of suitable polyethylene glycols may be up to 5 000 000 g/mol, preferably up to 2 000 000 g/mol.

Examples of fluorinated ethers of formula R'-(0-CF _p H2-p)q-R" are 1 ,1 ,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl-2,2,3,3- tetrafluoropropyl ether (CF2HCF2CH2OCF2CF2H), and 1 H,1 H,5H-perfluoropentyl-1 , 1 ,2,2- tetrafluoroethylether (CF ₂ H(CF2)3CH20CF2CF ₂ H).

Examples of optionally fluorinated cyclic ethers are 1 ,4-dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, and their derivatives like 2-methyl tetrahydrofuran wherein one or more H of an alkyl group may be substituted by F.

Examples of optionally fluorinated acyclic acetals are 1 ,1 -dimethoxymethane and 1 ,1 - diethoxymethane. Examples of cyclic acetals are 1 ,3-dioxane, 1 ,3-dioxolane, and their derivatives such as methyl dioxolane wherein one or more H may be substituted by F. Examples of optionally fluorinated acyclic orthocarboxylic acid esters are tri-Ci-C4 alkoxy methane, in particular trimethoxymethane and triethoxymethane. Examples of suitable cyclic orthocarboxylic acid esters are 1 ,4-dimethyl-3,5,8-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane and 4-ethyl-1 - methyl-3,5,8-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane wherein one or more H may be substituted by F.

Examples of optionally fluorinated acyclic esters of carboxylic acids are ethyl and methyl formiate, ethyl and methyl acetate, ethyl and methyl proprionate, and ethyl and methyl butanoate, and esters of dicarboxylic acids like 1 ,3-dimethyl propanedioate wherein one or more H may be substituted by F. An example of a cyclic ester of carboxylic acids (lactones) is γ- butyrolactone. Examples of optionally fluorinated cyclic and acyclic sulfones are ethyl methyl sulfone, dimethyl sulfone, and tetrahydrothiophene-S,S-dioxide (sulfolane).

Examples of optionally fluorinated cyclic and acyclic nitriles and dinitriles are adipodinitrile, acetonitrile, propionitrile, and butyronitrile wherein one or more H may be substituted by F.

Examples of optionally fluorinated cyclic and acyclic phosphates are trialkyi phosphates wherein one or more H of an alkyl group may be substituted by F like trimethyl phosphate, triethyl phosphate, and tris(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)phosphate. More preferred the aprotic organic solvent(s) are selected from optionally fluorinated ethers and polyethers, optionally fluorinated cyclic and acyclic organic carbonates, optionally fluorinated cyclic and acyclic esters and diesters of carboxylic acids and mixtures thereof. Even more preferred the aprotic organic solvent(s) are selected from optionally fluorinated ethers and polyethers, and optionally fluorinated cyclic and acyclic organic carbonates, and mixtures thereof.

According to one embodiment the electrolyte composition contains at least solvent selected from fluorinated ethers and polyethers, e.g. compounds of formula fluorinated ethers of formula R'-(0-CFpH ₂ -p) _q -R" as defined above like CF2HCF2CH2OCF2CF2H or CFzhKCF^ChbOCFzCFzH.

According to another embodiment, the electrolyte composition contains at least one solvent selected from fluorinated cyclic carbonate like 1 -fluoro ethyl carbonate.

According to a further embodiment the electrolyte composition contains at least one solvent selected from fluorinated cyclic carbonate, e.g. 1 -fluoro ethyl carbonate, and at least one solvent selected from fluorinated ethers and polyethers, e.g. compounds of formula fluorinated ethers of formula R'-(0-CF _r H ₂ -r)s-R" as defined above like CF2HCF2CH2OCF2CF2H or

CF ₂ H(CF2)3CH20CF2CF ₂ H.

According to another embodiment the electrolyte composition contains at least one fluorinated cyclic carbonate, e.g. 1 -fluoro ethyl carbonate and at least one non-fluorinated acyclic organic carbonate, e.g. dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate or ethyl methyl carbonate. The electrolyte composition contains at least one lithium ion containing conducting salt (ii). The electrolyte composition functions as a medium that transfers ions participating in the

electrochemical reaction taking place in an electrochemical cell. The lithium ion containing conducting salt(s) (ii) present in the electrolyte composition are usually solvated in the aprotic organic solvent(s) (i). Examples of lithium ion containing conducting salts are

• Li[F6-xP(C _y F2y+i)x], wherein x is an integer in the range from 0 to 6 and y is an integer in the range from 1 to 20;

Li[B(R') ₄ ], Li[B(R') ₂ (OR"0)] and Li[B(OR ^M 0) ₂ ] wherein each R' is independently from each other selected from F, CI, Br, I , Ci-C ₄ alkyi, C2-C4 alkenyl, C2-C4 alkynyl, OC1-C4 alkyi, OC2-C4 alkenyl, and OC2-C4 alkynyl wherein alkyi, alkenyl, and alkynyl may be substituted by one or more OR'", wherein R ^m is selected from C1-C6 alkyi, C2-C6 alkenyl, and C2-C6 alkynyl, and

(OR"0) is a bivalent group derived from a 1 ,2- or 1 ,3-diol, a 1 ,2- or 1 ,3-dicarboxlic acid or a 1 ,2- or 1 ,3-hydroxycarboxylic acid, wherein the bivalent group forms a 5- or 6- membered cycle via the both oxygen atoms with the central B-atom;

• UCIO4; LiAsF ₆ ; LiCF ₃ S0 ₃ ; Li ₂ SiF ₆ ; LiSbF ₆ ; LiAICU, Li(N(S0 ₂ F) ₂ ), lithium tetrafluoro

(oxalato) phosphate; lithium oxalate; and

• salts of the general formula Li[Z(C _n F2n+iS02)m], where m and n are defined as follows: m = 1 when Z is selected from oxygen and sulfur,

m = 2 when Z is selected from nitrogen and phosphorus,

m = 3 when Z is selected from carbon and silicon, and

n is an integer in the range from 1 to 20.

Suited 1 ,2- and 1 ,3-diols from which the bivalent group (OR"0) is derived may be aliphatic or aromatic and may be selected, e.g., from 1 ,2-dihydroxybenzene, propane-1 ,2-diol, butane-1 ,2- diol, propane-1 ,3-diol, butan-1 ,3-diol, cyclohexyl-trans-1 ,2-diol and naphthalene-2,3-diol which are optionally are substituted by one or more F and/or by at least one straight or branched non fluorinated, partly fluorinated or fully fluorinated C1-C4 alkyi group. An example for such 1 ,2- or 1 ,3-diole is 1 ,1 ,2,2-tetra(trifluoromethyl)-1 ,2-ethane diol.

"Fully fluorinated C1-C4 alkyi group" means, that all H-atoms of the alkyi group are substituted by F. Suited 1 ,2- or 1 ,3-dicarboxlic acids from which the bivalent group (OR"0) is derived may be aliphatic or aromatic, for example oxalic acid, malonic acid (propane-1 ,3-dicarboxylic acid), phthalic acid or isophthalic acid, preferred is oxalic acid. The 1 ,2- or 1 ,3-dicarboxlic acid are optionally substituted by one or more F and/or by at least one straight or branched non fluorinated, partly fluorinated or fully fluorinated C1-C4 alkyi group.

Suited 1 ,2- or 1 ,3-hydroxycarboxylic acids from which the bivalent group (OR"0) is derived may be aliphatic or aromatic, for example salicylic acid, tetrahydro salicylic acid, malic acid, and 2- hydroxy acetic acid, which are optionally substituted by one or more F and/or by at least one straight or branched non fluorinated, partly fluorinated or fully fluorinated C1-C4 alkyl group. An example for such 1 ,2- or 1 ,3-hydroxycarboxylic acids is 2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)-2-hydroxy-acetic acid.

Examples of Li[B(R') ₄ ], Li[B(R ^l )2(OR"0)] and Li[B(OR ^M 0) ₂ ] are LiBF ₄ , lithium difluoro oxalato borate and lithium dioxalato borate.

Preferably the at least one lithium ion containing conducting salt is selected from LiPF6, LiAsF6, LiSbFe, UCF3SO3, LiBF ₄ , lithium bis(oxalato) borate, LiCI0 ₄ , LiN(S02C ₂ F ₅ )2, LiN(S0 ₂ CF ₃ )2, LiN(S02F)2, and LiPF3(CF2CFs)3, more preferred the conducting salt is selected from LiPF6, LiN(S02F)2, and LiBF ₄ , and the most preferred conducting salt is LiPF6.

The lithium conducting salt(s) are usually present at a minimum concentration of at least 0.1 mol/l, preferably the concentration of the ion containing conducting salt(s) is 0.5 to 2 mol/l based on the entire electrolyte composition.

Usually the electrolyte composition contains in total at least 0.001 wt.-% of the at least one compound of formula (I), based on the total weight of electrolyte composition, preferably at least 0.01 wt.-%, and more preferred at least 0.1 wt.-%, based on the total weight of electrolyte composition. The maximum value of the total concentration of compounds of formula (I) in the electrolyte composition is usually 10 wt.-%, based on the total weight of electrolyte composition, preferably 5 wt.-%, more preferred the upper limit of the total concentration of compounds of formula (I) is 3 wt.-%, and even more preferred 2 wt.-%, based on the total weight of electrolyte composition. Usually the electrolyte composition contains in total 0.001 to 10 wt.-%, of the at least one compound of formula (I), based on the total weight of electrolyte composition, preferably 0.01 to 5 wt.-%, more preferably 0.1 to 5 wt.-% and most preferred 0.1 to 3 wt.-%.

Furthermore, the electrolyte composition may contain at least one further additive different from the complex compounds of formula (I). The at least one further additive different from the complex compounds of formula (I) may be selected from polymers, film forming additives, flame retardants, overcharging additives, wetting agents, HF and/or H2O scavenger, stabilizer for LiPF6 salt, ionic solvation enhancer, corrosion inhibitors, and gelling agents. The minimum concentration of the at least one further additive is usually 0.005 wt.-%, preferably the minimum concentration is 0.01 wt.-% and more preferred the minimum concentration is 0.1 wt.-%, based on the total weight of electrolyte composition. The maximum concentration of the at least further additive is usually 25 wt.-%. One class of further additives are polymers. Polymers may be selected from polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinylidene-hexafluoropropylene copolymers, polyvinylidene-hexafluoropropylene- chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymers, Nafion, polyethylene oxide, polymethyl methacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polypropylene, polystyrene, polybutadiene, polyethylene glycol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyaniline, polypyrrole and/or polythiophene. Polymers may be added to a formulation according to the present invention in order to convert liquid formulations into quasi-solid or solid electrolytes and thus to improve solvent retention, especially during ageing. In this case they function as gelling agents.

Examples of flame retardants are organic phosphorous compounds like cyclophosphazenes, phosphoramides, alkyl and/or aryl tri-substituted phosphates, alkyl and/or aryl di- or tri- substituted phosphites, alkyl and/or aryl di- substituted phosphonates, alkyl and/or aryl tri- substituted phosphines, and fluorinated derivatives thereof.

Examples of HF and/or H2O scavenger are optionally halogenated cyclic and acyclic

silylamines. Examples of overcharge protection additives are cyclohexylbenzene, o-terphenyl, p-terphenyl, and biphenyl and the like, preferred are cyclohexylbenzene and biphenyl.

Another class of additives are film forming additives, also called SEI-forming additives. An SEI forming additive according to the present invention is a compound which decomposes on an electrode to form a passivation layer on the electrode which prevents degradation of the electrolyte and/or the electrode. In this way, the lifetime of a battery is significantly extended. Preferably the SEI forming additive forms a passivation layer on the anode. An anode in the context of the present invention is understood as the negative electrode of a battery. Preferably, the anode has a reduction potential of 1 Volt or less against lithium such as a lithium

intercalating graphite anode. In order to determine if a compound qualifies as anode film forming additive, an electrochemical cell can be prepared comprising a graphite electrode and a metal counter electrode, and an electrolyte containing a small amount of said compound, typically from 0.1 to 10 wt.-% of the electrolyte composition, preferably from 0.2 to 5 wt.-% of the electrolyte composition. Upon application of a voltage between anode and lithium metal, the differential capacity of the electrochemical cell is recorded between 0.5 V and 2 V. If a significant differential capacity is observed during the first cycle, for example -150 mAh/V at 1 V, but not or essentially not during any of the following cycles in said voltage range, the compound can be regarded as SEI forming additive. According to the present invention the electrolyte composition preferably contains at least one SEI forming additive. SEI forming additives are known to the person skilled in the art. More preferred the electrolyte composition contains at least one SEI forming selected from vinylene carbonate and its derivatives such as vinylene carbonate and methylvinylene carbonate;

fluorinated ethylene carbonate and its derivatives such as monofluoroethylene carbonate, cis- and trans-difluorocarbonate; organic sultones such as propylene sultone, propane sultone and their derivatives; ethylene sulfite and its derivatives; oxalate comprising compounds such as lithium oxalate, oxalato borates including dimethyl oxalate, lithium bis(oxalate) borate, lithium difluoro (oxalato) borate, and ammonium bis(oxalato) borate, and oxalato phosphates including lithium tetrafluoro (oxalato) phosphate; and sulfur containing additives as described in detail in WO 2013/026854 A1 , in particular the sulfur containing additives shown on page 12 line 22 to page 15, line 10.

A compound added may have more than one effect in the electrolyte composition and the electrochemical cell comprising the electrolyte composition. E.g. lithium oxalato borate may be added as additive enhancing the SEI formation but can also function as conducting salt. The electrolyte composition is preferably non-aqueous. In one embodiment of the present invention, the water content of the electrolyte composition is preferably below 100 ppm, based on the weight of the respective inventive formulation, more preferred below 50 ppm, most preferred below 30 ppm. The water content may be determined by titration according to Karl Fischer, e.g. described in detail in DIN 51777 or ISO760: 1978. The minimum water content of electrolyte compositions may be selected from 3 ppm, preferably 5 ppm.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the HF-content of the electrolyte composition is preferably below 100 ppm, based on the weight of the respective inventive formulation, more preferred below 50 ppm, most preferred below 30 ppm. The HF content may be determined by titration.

The electrolyte composition is preferably liquid at working conditions; more preferred it is liquid at 1 bar and 25 °C, even more preferred the electrolyte composition is liquid at 1 bar and -15 °C, in particular the electrolyte composition is liquid at 1 bar and -30 °C, even more preferred the electrolyte composition is liquid at 1 bar and -50 °C. Such liquid electrolyte compositions are particularly suitable for outdoor applications, for example for use in automotive batteries.

The electrolyte composition may be prepared by methods which are known to the person skilled in the field of the production of electrolytes, generally by dissolving the lithium conductive salt(s) (ii) in the corresponding solvent or solvent mixture (i) and adding the at least one complex compound of formula (I) or a solvent mixture containing the reaction products of the preparation of the complex compounds of formula (I) (and optionally further additive(s) (iv), or by preparing the complex compound of formula (I) in situ in the electrolyte composition as described above, e.g. adding a P-containing compound of formula (II) to the solvent or solvent mixture(i) containing a lithium complex salt of formula (III) as conducting salt (i).

Another aspect of the invention are electrochemical cells comprising the electrolyte as described above or as described as preferred. The electrochemical cell usually comprises

(A) an anode comprising at least one anode active material,

(B) a cathode comprising at least one cathode active material; and (C) the electrolyte composition as described above.

The electrochemical cell may be a lithium battery, a double layer capacitor, or a lithium ion capacitor. The general construction of such electrochemical devices is known and is familiar to the person skilled in this art - for batteries, for example, in Linden's Handbook of Batteries (ISBN 978-0-07-162421 -3).

Preferably the inventive electrochemical cell is a lithium battery. The term "lithium battery" as used herein means an electrochemical cell, wherein the anode comprises lithium metal or lithium ions sometime during the charge/discharge of the cell. The anode may comprise lithium metal or a lithium metal alloy, a material occluding and releasing lithium ions, or other lithium containing compounds. The lithium battery is preferably a secondary lithium battery, i.e. a rechargeable lithium battery. In particular preferred embodiments the electrochemical cell is a lithium ion battery, i.e. a secondary lithium ion electrochemical cell comprising a cathode (A) comprising a cathode active material that can reversibly occlude and release lithium ions and an anode (B) comprising an anode active material that can reversibly occlude and release lithium ions. Anode (A) comprises an anode active material that can reversibly occlude and release lithium ions or is capable to form an alloy with lithium. In particular carbonaceous material that can reversibly occlude and release lithium ions can be used as anode active material.

Carbonaceous materials suited are crystalline carbon such as a graphite materials, more particularly, natural graphite, graphitized cokes, graphitized MCMB, and graphitized MPCF; amorphous carbon such as coke, mesocarbon microbeads (MCMB) fired below 1500°C, and mesophase pitch-based carbon fiber (MPCF); hard carbon; and carbonic anode active material (thermally decomposed carbon, coke, graphite) such as a carbon composite, combusted organic polymer, and carbon fiber. A preferred carbonaceous material is graphite. Further examples of anode active materials are lithium metal and lithium metal alloys, i.e.

materials containing an element capable of forming an alloy with lithium. Non-limiting examples of materials containing an element capable of forming an alloy with lithium include a metal, a semimetal, or an alloy thereof. It should be understood that the term "alloy" as used herein refers to both alloys of two or more metals as well as alloys of one or more metals together with one or more semimetals. If an alloy has metallic properties as a whole, the alloy may contain a nonmetal element. In the texture of the alloy, a solid solution, a eutectic (eutectic mixture), an intermetallic compound or two or more thereof coexist. Examples of such metal or semimetal elements include, without being limited to, titanium (Ti), tin (Sn), lead (Pb), aluminum, indium (In), zinc (Zn), antimony (Sb), bismuth (Bi), gallium (Ga), germanium (Ge), arsenic (As), silver (Ag), hafnium (Hf), zirconium (Zr) yttrium (Y), and silicon (Si). Metal and semimetal elements of Group 4 or 14 in the long-form periodic table of the elements are preferable, and especially preferable are titanium, silicon and tin, in particular silicon. Examples of tin alloys include ones having, as a second constituent element other than tin, one or more elements selected from the group consisting of silicon, magnesium (Mg), nickel, copper, iron, cobalt, manganese, zinc, indium, silver, titanium (Ti), germanium, bismuth, antimony and chromium (Cr). Examples of silicon alloys include ones having, as a second constituent element other than silicon, one or more elements selected from the group consisting of tin, magnesium, nickel, copper, iron, cobalt, manganese, zinc, indium, silver, titanium, germanium, bismuth, antimony and chromium.

Further possible anode active materials are silicon containing materials. Silicon containing materials include silicon itself, e.g. amorphous and crystalline silicon, silicon containing compounds, e.g. SiO _x with 0 < x < 1 .5 and Si alloys, and compositions containing silicon and/or silicon containing compounds, e.g. silicon/graphite composites and carbon coated silicon containing materials. Silicon itself may be used in different forms, e.g. in the form of nanowires, nanotubes, nanoparticles, films, nanoporous silicon or silicon nanotubes. The silicon may be deposited on a current collector. Current collector may be selected from coated metal wires, a coated metal grid, a coated metal web, a coated metal sheet, a coated metal foil or a coated metal plate. Preferably, current collector is a coated metal foil, e.g. a coated copper foil. Thin films of silicon may be deposited on metal foils by any technique known to the person skilled in the art, e.g. by sputtering techniques. One method of preparing thin silicon film electrodes are described in R. Elazari et al.; Electrochem. Comm. 2012, 14, 21 -24.

Other possible anode active materials are lithium ion intercalating oxides of Ti.

Preferably the anode active material comprises carbonaceous material that can reversibly occlude and release lithium ions, particularly preferred the carbonaceous material that can reversibly occlude and release lithium ions is selected from crystalline carbon, hard carbon and amorphous carbon, and particularly preferred is graphite. It is also preferred that the anode active material comprises silicon containing materials. It is further preferred that the anode active material comprises lithium ion intercalating oxides of Ti. The inventive electrochemical cell comprises a cathode (B) comprising at least one cathode active material. The at least one cathode active material comprises a material capable of occluding and releasing lithium ions and may be selected from lithium transition metal oxides and lithium transition metal phosphates of olivine structure.

Examples of lithium transition metal phosphates of olivine structure are LiFeP0 ₄ ; LiNiP0 ₄ ;

LiMnP0 ₄ ; and LiCoP0 ₄ .

Examples of mixed lithium transition metal oxides are UC0O2, LiNi02, LiMn02, mixed lithium transition metal oxides with layer structure, manganese containing spinels, and lithium intercalating mixed oxides of Ni, Al and at least one second transition metal.

Preferably the at least one cathode active material is selected from mixed lithium transition metal oxides containing Mn and at least one second transition metal; lithium intercalating mixed oxides containing Ni, Al and at least one second transition metal; LiMnPC ; LiNiPC ; and

Examples of mixed lithium transition metal oxides containing Mn and at least one second transition metal are lithium transition metal oxides with layered structure of formula (II)

Lil _+e (NiaCObMn _c Md)l-e02

(II)

wherein

a is in the range of from 0.05 to 0.9, preferred in the range of 0.1 to 0.8,

b is in the range of from zero to 0.35,

c is in the range of from 0.1 to 0.9, preferred in the range of 0.2 to 0.8,

d is in the range of from zero to 0.2,

e is in the range of from zero to 0.3, preferred in the range of > zero to 0.3, more preferred in the range of 0.05 to 0.3,

with a + b+ c+ d = 1 , and

M being one or more metals selected from Na, K, Al, Mg, Ca, Cr, V, Mo, Ti, Fe, W, Nb, Zr, and Zn. Cobalt containing compounds of formula (II) are also named NCM.

Lithium transition metal oxides with layered structure of formula (II) wherein e is larger than zero are also called overlithiated. Preferred lithium transition metal oxides with layered structure of formula (II) are compounds forming a solid solution wherein a LiM'02 phase in which M' is Ni, and optionally one or more transition metals selected from Co and Mn and a Ι_ΐ2Μηθ3 phase are mixed and wherein one or more metal M as defined above may be present. The one or more metals M are also called " dopants" or "doping metal" since they are usually present at minor amounts, e.g. at maximum 10 mol-% M or at maximum 5 mol-% M or at maximum 1 mol.-% based on the total amount of metal except lithium present in the transition metal oxide. In case one or more metals M are present, they are usually present in an amount of at least 0.01 mol-% or at least 0.1 mol-% based on the total amount of metal except lithium present in the transition metal oxide. These compounds are also expressed by formula (I I a)

(Ma)

wherein M' is Ni and at least one metal selected from Mn and Co;

z is 0.1 to 0.8,

and wherein one or more metals selected from Na, K, Al, Mg, Ca, Cr, V, Mo, Ti, Fe, W, Nb, Zr, and Zn may be present. Electrochemically, the Ni and if present Co atoms in the IJMO2 phase participate in reversible oxidation and reduction reactions leading to Li-ions deintercalation and intercalation, respectively, at voltages below 4.5 V vs. LiVLi, while the Li2Mn03 phase participates only in oxidation and reduction reactions at voltages equal or above 4.5 V vs. LiVLi given that Mn in the Li2Mn03 phase is in its +4 oxidation state. Therefore, electrons are not removed from the Mn atoms in this phase but from the 2p orbitals of oxygen ions, leading to the removal of oxygen for the lattice in the form of O2 gas at least in the first charging cycling.

These compounds are also called HE-NCM due to their higher energy densities in comparison to usual NCMs. Both HE-NCM and NCM have operating voltages of about 3.0 to 3.8 V against Li/Li ⁺ , but high cut off voltages have to be used both for activating and cycling of HE-NCMs to actually accomplish full charging and to benefit from their higher energy densities. Usually the upper cut-off voltage for the cathode during charging against Li/Li ⁺ is of at least 4.5 V for activating the HE-NCM, preferably of at least 4.6 V, more preferred of at least 4.7 V and even more preferred of at least 4.8 V. The term "upper cut-off voltage against Li/Li ⁺ during charging" of the electrochemical cell means the voltage of the cathode of the electrochemical cell against a Li/Li ⁺ reference anode which constitute the upper limit of the voltage at which the

electrochemical cell is charged. Examples of HE-NCMs are

0.33Li ₂ Mn03»0.67Li(Nio. ₄ Coo.2Mno.4)02, 0.42Li ₂ Mn03»0.58Li(Nio. ₄ Coo.2Mno.4)02,

0.50Li ₂ Mn03»0.50Li(Nio. ₄ Coo.2Mno.4)02, 0.40Li ₂ Mn03»0.60Li(Nio. ₈ Coo.iMno.i)02, and

0.42Li ₂ Mn03»0.58Li(Nio. ₆ Mno.4)02.

Examples of manganese-containing transition metal oxides with layer structure of formula (II) wherein d is zero are LiNio.33Mno.67O2, LiNio.25Mno.75O2, LiNio.35Coo.15Mno.5O2,

LiNio.21Coo.08Mno.71O2, LiNio.22Coo.12Mno.66O2, LiNio.8Coo.1 Mno.1O2, LiNio.6Coo.2Mno.2O2, and

LiNio.5Coo.2Mno.3O2. It is preferred that the transition metal oxides of general formula (II) wherein d is zero do not contain further cations or anions in significant amounts.

Examples of manganese-containing transition metal oxides with layer structure of formula (II) wherein d is larger than zero are 0.33Li2Mn03»0.67Li(Nio. ₄ Coo.2Mno. ₄ )02,

0.42Li ₂ Mn03»0.58Li(Nio. ₄ Coo.2Mno.4)02, 0.50Li ₂ Mn03»0.50Li(Nio. ₄ Coo.2Mno.4)02,

0.40Li ₂ Mn03»0.60Li(Nio. ₈ Coo.iMno.i)02, and 0.42Li ₂ Mn03»0.58Li(Nio.6Mno.4)0 ₂ wherein one or more metal M selected from Na, K, Al, Mg, Ca, Cr, V, Mo, Ti, Fe, W, Nb, Zr, and Zn may be present. The one or more doping metal is preferably present up to 1 mol-%, based on the total amount of metal except lithium present in the transition metal oxide.

Other preferred compounds of formula (II) are Ni-rich compounds, wherein the content of Ni is at least 50 mol.% based on the total amount of transition metal present. This includes compounds of formula (lib)

Lil _+e (NiaCObMn _c Md)l-e02

(lib) wherein

a is in the range of from 0.5 to 0.9, preferred in the range of 0.5 to 0.8,

b is in the range of from zero to 0.35,

c is in the range of from 0.1 to 0.5, preferred in the range of 0.2 to 0.5,

d is in the range of from zero to 0.2,

e is in the range of from zero to 0.3,

with a + b+ c+ d = 1 , and

M being one or more metals selected from Na, K, Al, Mg, Ca, Cr, V, Mo, Ti, Fe, W, Nb, Zr, and Zn.

Examples of Ni-rich compounds of formula (I) are Li[Nio.8Coo.iMn ₀ .i]02 (NCM 81 1 ),

Li[Nio.6Coo. ₂ Mno.2]02 (NCM 622), and Li[Nio. ₅ Coo.2Mno.3]02 (NCM 523).

Further examples of mixed lithium transition metal oxides containing Mn and at least one sec- ond transition metal are manganese-containing spinels of formula (III)

(III)

wherein

s is 0 to 0.4,

t is 0 to 0.4, and

M is Mn and at least one further metal selected from Co and Ni, preferably M is Mn and Ni and optionally Co, i.e. a part of M is Mn and another part of Ni, and optionally a further part of M is selected from Co.

The cathode active material may also be selected from lithium intercalating mixed oxides containing Ni, Al and at least one second transition metal, e.g. from lithium intercalating mixed oxides of Ni, Co and Al. Examples of mixed oxides of Ni, Co and Al are compounds of formula (IV)

Li[Ni _h COiAlj]0 ₂

(IV)

wherein

h is 0.7 to 0.9, preferred 0.8 to 0.87, and more preferred 0.8 to 0.85;

i is 0.15 to 0.20; and

j is 0.02 to 10, preferred 0.02 to 1 , more preferred 0.02 to 0.1 , and most preferred 0.02 to 0.03.

The cathode active material may also be selected from LiMnPC , LiNiPC and LiCoP0 ₄ . These phosphates show usually olivine structure and usually upper cut-off voltages of at least 4.5 V have to be used for charging. Cathode (B) may contain further components like binders and electrically conductive materials such as electrically conductive carbon. For example, cathode (B) may comprise carbon in a conductive polymorph, for example selected from graphite, carbon black, carbon nanotubes, graphene or mixtures of at least two of the aforementioned substances. Examples of binders used in cathode (B) are organic polymers like polyethylene, polyacrylonitrile, polybutadiene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyacrylates, polyvinyl alcohol, polyisoprene and copolymers of at least two comonomers selected from ethylene, propylene, styrene, (meth)acrylonitrile and 1 ,3- butadiene, especially styrene-butadiene copolymers, and halogenated (co)polymers like polyvinlyidene chloride, polyvinly chloride, polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF), polytetrafluoroethylene, copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluoropropylene, copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene and vinylidene fluoride and polyacrylnitrile.

Anode (A) and cathode (B) may be made by preparing an electrode slurry composition by dispersing the electrode active material, a binder, optionally a conductive material and a thickener, if desired, in a solvent and coating the slurry composition onto a current collector. The current collector may be a metal wire, a metal grid, a metal web, a metal sheet, a metal foil or a metal plate. Preferred the current collector is a metal foil, e.g. a copper foil or aluminum foil.

The inventive electrochemical cells may contain further constituents customary per se, for example separators, housings, cable connections etc. The housing may be of any shape, for example cuboidal or in the shape of a cylinder, the shape of a prism or the housing used is a metal-plastic composite film processed as a pouch. Suited separators are for example glass fiber separators and polymer-based separators like polyolefin or Nafion separators. Several inventive electrochemical cells may be combined with one another, for example in series connection or in parallel connection. Series connection is preferred. The present invention further provides for the use of inventive electrochemical cells as described above in devices, especially in mobile devices. Examples of mobile devices are vehicles, for example automobiles, bicycles, aircraft, or water vehicles such as boats or ships. Other examples of mobile devices are those which are portable, for example computers, especially laptops, telephones or electrical power tools, for example from the construction sector, especially drills, battery-driven screwdrivers or battery-driven staplers. But the inventive electrochemical cells can also be used for stationary energy stores.

The present invention is further illustrated by the following examples that do not, however, restrict the invention.

Experimental section:

A) Electrolyte compositions

A.1 ) Electrolyte compositions for electrochemical investigations The electrolyte compositions were prepared by dissolving different amounts of LiPF6, LiBF ₄ , lithium difluoro (oxalato) borate (LiDFOB) or lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl) imide (LiFSI) in different mixtures of ethyl carbonate (EC, BASF), diethyl carbonate (DEC, BASF), monofluoroethylene carbonate (FEC, BASF), 1 H,1 H,5H-perfluoropentyl-1 ,1 ,2,2-tetrafluoroethylether

(CF2H(CF2)3CH20CF2CF2H, FPEE, Foosung co., Ltd). Different comparative and inventive additives were added to these compositions as indicated in Tables 1 and 2. "vol.%" refers to the volume of the solvents in the electrolyte composition. The additive concentrations are expressed either in "wt.%", which refers to the total weight of the electrolyte composition, or in mol/L, which corresponds to the molar concentration of the additive. The concentrations of the lithium salts are given in mol/L, also abbreviated as "M". The additives were commercially available with the exception of compound A2 and A3. A2 was prepared according to R.

Rabinowitz, J. Org. Chem., Vol. 28 (1963), pages 2975 to 2978. A3 was prepared according to M. Sekine et al., J. Org. Chem., Vol. 46 (1981 ), pages 2097 to 2107. All solvents were dry (water content < 3 ppm). All electrolyte compositions were prepared and stored in an Ar-filled glovebox having oxygen and water levels below 1.0 ppm.

Table 1 . Electrolyte additives employed

Table 2. Electrolyte formulations employed

Electrochemical cells

C.1 ) HE-NCM/graphite 2032 full coin cells The positive electrodes for the electrochemical cycling experiments were prepared by coating a slurry containing 92.5 wt.% of cathode active material, 2 wt.% Graphite, 2 wt.% Super C65 carbon black and 3.5 wt.% PVDF binder suspended in N-ethyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NEP) on aluminum foil. The cathode active material was the HE-NCM 0.33Ι_ΐ2Μηθ3 ·

0.67Li(Nio.4Mno.4Coo.2)02, HE-NCM, BASF). Commercial graphite-coated tapes from Elexcel Corporation Ltd. were used as negative electrodes. The positive, negative composite electrodes, a polypropylene separator (Celgard) and the respective electrolyte were used to manufacture 2032 coin cells. All cells were assembled in an argon-filled glove box having oxygen and water levels below 1 .0 ppm and their electrochemical testing carried out in a Maccor 4000 battery-test system.

B.2) NCM424/Graphite and NCM622/Graphite pouch cells

The positive electrodes for the electrochemical cycling experiments in pouch cells were prepared by coating on aluminum foil (thickness = 17 μηη) using a roll coater a slurry containing cathode active material, carbon black and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF) binders suspended in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP). The electrode tapes were dried in a hot air chamber and dried further under vacuum at 130 °C for 8 h and the electrodes were pressed using a roll pressor. The cathode active materials employed were either Li(Nio.4Coo.2Mno.4)02 (NCM424) or Li(Nio.6 Coo.2Mno.2)02 (NCM622). For the negative electrodes, an aqueous slurry aqueous was prepared by mixing graphite and carbon black with CMC (carboxymethyl cellulose) and SBR (styrene butadiene rubber). The obtained slurry was coated onto copper foil (thickness = 9 μηη) by using a roll coater and dried under hot air chamber (80°C to 120°C). The loading of the resulted electrode was found to be 10 mg/cm ² . The electrodes was pressed by roll pressor to an approximate thickness of 72 μηη. Pouch cells (250 mAh) were assembled in Ar-filled glove box, comprising NCM positive electrodes and graphite negative electrodes with a separator superposed between cathode and anode. Thereafter, all cells were filled with electrolyte, as described in Tables 3, 4, 5 and 6, in an argon-filled glove box having oxygen and water levels below 1.0 ppm and their electrochemical testing carried out in a Maccor 4000 battery-test system.

C) Evaluation of cycling and cell resistance in HE-NCM/graphite 2032 coin full cells at 25 °C

The cells were charged at a constant current of 0.067 C to a voltage of 4.7 V and discharged with a constant current of 0.067 C to a discharge voltage of 2.0 V (First activation cycle) at 25 ° C. The first cycle coulombic efficiency is defined as the ratio between the measured discharge and charge capacities. Immediately after the cells are charged at 25 °C at a constant current of 0.1 C to a voltage of 4.6 V. The cells were further charged at 4.6 V until the current reached a value of 0.05 C and then discharged at a constant current of 0.1 C to a discharge voltage of 2.0 V (second cycle). The same procedure as in the second cycle was repeated 3 times (cycles 3 to 5). In the cycles 6 to 7, the cells are charged at 25 °C at a constant current of 0.2 C to a voltage of 4.6 V. The cells were further charged at 4.6 V until the current reached a value of 0.05 C and then discharged at a constant current of 0.5 C to a discharge voltage of 2.0 V. Then, the cells are charged at a constant current of 0.7 C to a voltage of 4.6 V, charged at 4.6 V until the current reached a value of 0.05 C and while keeping constant this charging conditions then the cells are discharged to a discharge voltage of 2.0 V at a constant current of 1 C (2 times, cycles 8 to 9), 2 C (2 times, cycles 10 to 1 1 ) and 3 C (2 times, cycles 12 to 13).

Following the variation of discharge rates, prolonged cycling was carried out by charging the cells at a constant current of 0.7 C to a voltage of 4.6 V, charging at 4.6 V until the current reached a value of 0.05 C and discharging to a discharge voltage of 2.0 V at a constant current of 1 C (Cycle 14). The discharge capacity measured for cycle 14 was recorded as the first discharge capacity at 1 C. This charge and discharge procedure was repeated at least 400 times or until the measured charge capacity is lower than 50% of the charge capacity of cycle 14. During the prolonged cycling experiments, DC internal resistance (DCIR) measurements were carried out at each cycle immediately after fully charging the cells (100% state-of-charge) by applying a 0.2 C current interrupt during 10 seconds. The results from the various examples are presented in Table 3.

Table 3. Results obtained from HE-NCM/Graphite cells cycling experiments at 25 °C

Evaluation of cycling of pouch cell comprising NCM424/graphite anode

D.1 ) Formation Pouch full-cells prepared comprising a NCM424 cathode and graphite anode were charged at a constant current of 0.1 C either to a voltage of 3.7 V or during maximum 2 hours. Then, the cells were stored for 17 hours at 45 °C followed by degassing and initial volume measurements carried out via Archimedes measurements in water at ambient temperature.

D.2) Cycle stability of pouch full-cell comprising NCM424// graphite at 45 °C

After completing the formation procedure, the initial charge (CCCV charge, 0.2C, 4.5V, 0.05C cut-off) and discharge (CC discharge, 0.2C, 3.0 V cut-off) capacities were measured. The cell resistance after formation was determined by charging the cells up to 50 %SOC and carrying out DC internal resistance (DCIR) measurements by applying a current interrupt and the cells were discharged (CC discharge, 0.2C, 3.0V cut-off). Then the cells were charged at a constant current of 0.6 C to a voltage of 4.5 V, charged at 4.5 V until the current reached a value of 0.05 C and discharged to a voltage of 3.0 V at a constant current of 1 C and the discharge capacity measured was set as the reference discharge capacity value and corresponding to 100 %. This charge and discharge procedure was repeated 200 times. The discharge capacities in cycle 100 and 200 are reported in Table 4 and are expressed as a percentage of the reference discharge capacity. Then, the cells were charged up to 50 %SOC to determine their resistance after cycling via DC internal resistance (DCIR) measurements by applying a current interrupt, discharged at a constant current of 0.2 C to a voltage of 3.0 V. Finally, volume measurements after cycling were carried out via Archimedes measurements in water at ambient temperature. The results from the various examples are presented in Table 4.

Table 4. Results obtained from NCM-424/Graphite cells cycling experiments at 45 °C

Evaluation of cycling and high-temperature storability of pouch cell comprising

NCM622/graphite anode

E.1 ) Formation Pouch full-cells prepared comprising a NCM622 cathode and graphite anode were charged up to 10 % SOC at ambient temperature. Degassing process was applied to the cells before charge (CCCV charge, 0.2 C, 4.2 V cut off 0.015 C) and discharge (CC discharge, 0.2 C, 2.5 V cut-off) at ambient temperature. Then, the cells were charged again up to 4.2V (CCCV charge, 0.2 C, 4.2 V cut off 0.015 C) and stored at 60 °C for 6h. After formation, the initial charge (CCCV charge, 0.2 C, 4.2 V, 0.015C cut-off) and discharge (CC discharge, 0.2 C, 2.5 V cut-off) capacities were measured. The cell resistance after formation was determined by charging the cells up to 50 %SOC and DC internal resistance (DCIR) measurements by applying a current interrupt. The results from the various examples are presented in Table 5.

E.2) Cycle stability of pouch full-cell comprising NCM622//graphite at 45 °C

After completing the formation procedure, the cells were charged in CC/CV mode up to 4.2V with 1 C current and cut-off current of 0.015 C and discharged down to 2.5 V with 1 C at 45 °C. This charge/discharge (one cycle) procedure was repeated 250 times. The final charge (CCCV charge, 0.2 C, 4.2 V, 0.015 C cut-off) and discharge (CC discharge, 0.2 C, 2.5 V cut-off) capacities were measured after cycling. The capacity retention after cycling is expressed as the ratio between the final and initial discharge capacity. The cell resistance after cycling was determined by charging the cells up to 50 %SOC and DC internal resistance (DCIR) measurements by applying a current interrupt. The results from the various examples are presented in Table 5.

Table 5. Results obtained from NCM-622/Graphite cells cycling experiments at 45 °C

E.3) High temperature storage of pouch full-cell comprising NCM622//graphite at 60 °C

After completing the formation procedure, the cells were charged up to 4.2 V at ambient temperature and then stored at 60 °C for 30 days. The generated gas amount (mL) during the storage was determined by Archimedes measurements in water at ambient temperature and the results are summarized in Table 6. The final charge (CCCV charge, 0.2 C, 4.2 V, 0.015 C cutoff) and discharge (CC discharge, 0.2 C, 2.5 V cut-off) capacities were measured after storage tests. The capacity retention after cycling is expressed as the ratio between the final and initial discharge capacity. The cell resistance after cycling was determined by charging the cells up to 50 % SOC and DC internal resistance (DCIR) measurements by applying a current interrupt. The results from the various examples are presented in Table 6.

Table 6. Results obtained from NCM-622/Graphite cells storage experiments at 60 °C

F) NMR analysis

EL 8 was analyzed by ¹ H NMR spectroscopy and ¹⁹ F NMR spectroscopy directly after preparation and after one week of storage at 25°C. The electrolytes were analyzed using ¹ H, ¹⁹ F and ³¹ P NMR without any dilution. The spectra were recorded on a Bruker Avance III equipped with a CryoProbe Prodigy probe head or on a Varian NMR system 400 operating at a frequency of ¹ H : 500.36 MHz, ¹⁹ F : 470.76 MHz, ³¹ P: 202.56 MHz. Bruker TopSpin software was used to analyze the spectra. All signals were referenced in ¹ H NMR to d6-benzene (7.16 ppm) or d6-DMSO (2.50 ppm); placed in an internal capillary), in ³¹ P NMR to LiPF6 (-145.88 ppm, septet, E. J. Cairns et al., J. Electro- chem. Soc. Vol. 152 (2005), pages A1629 to A1632) within the electrolyte and in ¹⁹ F NMR to LiPF6 (-73.18 ppm, d, reference same as for ³¹ P NMR). ³¹ P NMR data were collected for the sake of clarity decoupled from proton: {1 H}: Quantitative analysis was performed in ¹⁹ F NMR using 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzoic acid as an internal standard.

In Figure 1 parts of the 1 H NMR spectrum and in Figure 2 part of the 19F NMR spectrum of EL 8 directly after formation are shown. The spectra indicate the presence of additive A3 (formula (13)) and the inventive complex compound (formula (14)) and (CHs)3SiF (formula (15)) formed in situ in the electrolyte composition by the reaction of additive A3 and LiPF6. In Table 7 the structures of these compounds are displayed and the different H/F-atoms are denoted H ^a to H ^e and F ^a and F ^b , respectively as indicated in the 1 H/19F NMR spectra in Figures 1 and 2. Integration ratios are indicated in parentheses for each atomic species in Figures 1 and 2.

Table 7. Species found in EL 8 by 1 H/19F NMR

In Figure 1 the typical upfield shifted signals of a methyl group bonded to a silicon atom is observed for three chemical species. A large P-H coupling can be observed for two chemical species. The more upfield shifted signal is broad indicating a coordinated molecule.

The coordinated PF ₅ group of the compound of formula (9) exhibits an asymmetric configuration, four F-atoms being in one plane and the fifth is directed vertical on this plane. The ¹⁹ F NMR spectrum in Figure 2 shows a characteristic coupling between the two non-equivalent fluorine nuclei in the molecule.

A quantitative analysis was performed by determining molar concentrations calculated from the integral of peak signals in reference to the internal standard from the ¹ H or ¹⁹ F NMR spectrum. The results are summarized in Tables 8, 9, 10 and 1 1 for different ELY base formulations. "Rel. concentration" was evaluated by comparison of the integrals of H ^b (18 H for A3, see formula (13)) vs. H ^d (9 H for (14)) in ¹ H NMR or the integrated signals at -15.08 ppm (A3) and -13.98 ppm (14) in ³ P NMR.

Table 8: Quantification of formation of (14) in EL7 (DEC:EC 70:30, 1 wt.% VC, 1.5 wt.% FEC, 1 M LiPF ₆ + 1 wt.% A3)

Species Freshly prepared After storage of 1 week

[mmol/L] [mmol/L]

Formula (13) (A3) 27 12

Formula (14) based on 1 H 23 31

NMR

Formula (15) Not determined 30

Coordinated PF ₅ group 19 31

based on ¹⁹ F NMR The added amount of additive A3 equaled a concentration of about 53 mmol/L in the electrolyte composition. Right after adding additive A3 to the electrolyte composition the reaction between the LiPF6 and additive A3 started. The reaction continued gradually overtime and also more coordinated PF ₅ groups were formed. The coordinated PF ₅ groups are assumed to belong to the complex compound of formula (14).

Table 9: Quantification of formation of (14) in EL7 (DEC:EC 70:30, 1 wt.% VC, 1.5 wt.% FEC, 1 M LiPF ₆ + 1 wt.% A3)

Table 10: Quantification of formation of (14) in EL8 (DEC:FEC:FPEE 64:12:24, 1 M LiPF ₆ + 4 wt.% A3),

The NMR-signals used for the evaluation shown in Tables 8 to 10 are summarized below.

A3 in EL7 (DEC:EC 70:30, 1 wt.% VC, 1.5 wt.% FEC, 1 M LiPF ₆ , initially 1 wt.% A3)

H NMR (400 MHz, d ₆ -DMSO): 6.58 (d, J = 723.9 Hz, 1 H), 0.03 (s, 18H) (14) in EL7 (DEC:EC 70:30, 1 wt.% VC, 1.5 wt.% FEC, 1 M LiPF ₆ , initially 1 wt.% A3)

H NMR (400 MHz, d ₆ -DMSO): 6.52 (d, J = 71 1.5 Hz, 1 H), 0.00 (s, 9H)

9F NMR (367 MHz, LiPF ₆ ): -59.55 (ddd, J = 734.2, 51 .5, 1 1.7 Hz), -74.26 (dp, J = 722.1 , 51 .6 Hz) (15) in EL7 (DEC:EC 70:30, 1 wt.% VC, 1.5 wt.% FEC, 1 M LiPF ₆ , initially 1 wt.% A3) H NMR (400 MHz, de-DMSO): -0.08 (d , J = 7.4 Hz, 9H)

9F NMR (367 MHz, LiPF ₆ ): -157.1 1 (m)

A3 in EL8 (DEC:FEC:FPEE 64:12:24, 1 M LiPF ₆ , initially 4 wt.% A3)

1H NMR (500 MHz, de-benzene): 7.05 (d, J = 722.2 Hz, 1 H), 0.51 (s, 18H)

3 P{ H} NMR (202 MHz, LiPF ₆ ): -15.08 (s)

(14) in EL8 (DEC:FEC:FPEE 64:12:24, 1 M LiPF ₆ , initially 4 wt.% A3)

H NMR (500 MHz, de-benzene): 7.03 (d, J = 714.2 Hz, 1 H), 0.48 (s, 9H)

1 ⁹ F NMR (470 MHz, LiPF ₆ ): -59.42 (ddd, J = 732.7, 50.4, 1 1.6 Hz), -74.25 (dp, J = 717.2, 50.4 Hz)

³ P{ H} NMR (202 MHz, LiPF ₆ ): -13.98 (h, J = 1 1.9 Hz), -149.53 (h, J = 733.0 Hz)

(15) in EL8 (DEC:FEC:FPEE 64:12:24, 1 M LiPF ₆ , initially 4 wt.% A3)

1H NMR (400 MHz, de-benzene): 0.39 (d, J = 7.4 Hz, 9H)

9F NMR (367 MHz, LiPF ₆ ): -157.43 (m)

When LiBF ₄ or LiDFOB were used instead of LiPF6, a mixture of multiple species containing - OPH(0)OTMS and/or -OPH(0)0- were obtained. The clear determination of the structure of the individual complexes formed via ¹ H, ¹⁹ F or ³¹ P{ ¹ H} NMR was not possible due to overlapping signals. Instead of the evolution of signals of discrete complexes of formula (I) the generation of trimethyl silyl fluoride (15) and the degradation of A3 was used to quantify the formation reaction. The relative ratio of A3 vs (15) were quantified by the comparison of the relevant integrals in ¹ H NMR for A3 at 0.63 ppm (s, 18H) and for (15) at 0.52 ppm (d , J = 7.4 Hz, 9H).The data is summarized in table 1 1 . Formation of trimethyl silyl fluoride (15) was not observed in case LiFSI was used instead of LiPFe. Figure 3 shows parts of the ¹⁹ F NMR spectra of EL9, EL10, EL1 1 and EL12 freshly prepared and after storage for 1 week at 25°C.

A3 in (DEC:EC 70:30)

1H NMR (400 MHz, de-benzene): 7.16 (d, J = 716.2 Hz, 1 H), 0.63 (s, 18H)

(15) in (DEC:EC 70:30)

H NMR (400 MHz, de-benzene): 0.52 (d , J = 7.4 Hz, 9H) Table 1 1 : Quantification of formation of complexes with various lithium salts

Initial molar ratio

Electrolyte lithium salt Status Observation

lithium salt

: A3

Freshly No formation of (15) observed ( ¹ H and

EL 9 1 M LiBF ₄ 100:0

prepared ⁹ F NMR)

Quantitative formation of (15) ob¬

Freshly served

EL 10 1 M LiBF ₄ 4:1

prepared A3 quantitatively converted ( ¹ H and

3 P NMR)

Quantitative conversion of L1BF4 ( ¹⁹ F

0.1 M Freshly pre¬

EL 1 1 1 :1 NMR)

LiBF ₄ pared

Ratio A3:(15) = 1 : 12.5 ( ¹ H NMR)

Quantitative conversion of L1BF4 ( ¹⁹ F

0.05 M Freshly pre¬

EL 12 1 :2 NMR)

LiBF ₄ pared

Ratio A3:(15) = 1 : 5.4 ( H NMR)

Stored 1 Quantitative conversion of L1BF4 ( ¹⁹ F

0.05 M

EL 12 1 :2 week at 25° NMR)

LiBF ₄

C Ratio A3:(15) = 1 : 99 ( ¹ H NMR)

Formation of (15) observed ( ¹ H and

0.1 M Freshly pre¬

EL 13 1 :1 ⁹ F NMR)

LiDFOB pared

Ratio: A3:(15) = 1 : 0.03 ( ¹ H NMR)

Stored 1 Formation of (15) observed ( ¹ H and

0.1 M

EL 13 1 :1 week at 25° ⁹ F NMR)

LiDFOB

C Ratio A3:(15) = 1 : 0.12 ( H NMR)

0.1 M Freshly preNo formation of (15) observed ( ¹ H and

EL 14 1 :1

LiFSI pared ⁹ F NMR)