The properties of electrolyte systems based on standard nonaqueous solvent composed of a mixture of dialkyl and alkylene carbonates and new commercially available lithium salts potentially capable of being an alternative to thermally unstable and chemically active lithium hexafluorophosphate LiPF₆ in the mass production of lithium-ion rechargeable batteries are surveyed. The advantages and drawbacks of electrolytes containing lithium salts alternative to LiPF₆ are discussed. The real prospects of substitution for LiPF₆ in electrolyte solutions aimed at improving the functional characteristics of lithium-ion batteries are assessed. Special attention is drawn to the efficient use of new lithium salts in the cells with electrodes based on materials predominantly used in the current mass production of lithium-ion batteries: grafitic carbon (negative electrode), LiCoO₂, LiMn₂O₄, LiFePO₄, and also solid solutions isostructural to lithium cobaltate with the general composition LiMO₂ (M = Co, Mn, Ni, Al) (positive electrode).

We report Arbuzov-type reactions of chlorofullerene C₆₀Cl₆ with trialkyl phosphites producing highly functionalized fullerene derivatives C₆₀[P(O)(OR)₂]₅H with high yields. The designed family of [60]fullerene phosphonic acids and their esters showed unusual properties which might find valuable material science applications.