Reduction Reactions of Carbonate Solvents for Lithium Ion Batteries

Lithium naphthalenide has been investigated as a one electron reducing agent for organic carbonates solvents used in lithium ion battery electrolytes. The reaction precipitates have been analyzed by IR-ATR and solution NMR spectroscopy and the evolved gases have been analyzed by GC-MS. The reduction products of ethylene carbonate and propylene carbonate are lithium ethylene dicarbonate and ethylene and lithium propylene dicarbonate and propylene, respectively. The reduction products of diethyl and dimethyl carbonate are lithium ethyl carbonate and ethane and lithium methyl carbonate and methane, respectively. Lithium carbonate is not observed as a reduction product.