Electrochemically, thermally and chemically stable lithium bis[a,a-dialkyl malonato] borate salts that melt between 100 oC and 150 oC (lower than the melting point of Li-metal), have high boiling point (above 200 oC) and have high decomposition point (above 300 oC) are proposed as candidates for lithium-metal batteries. When molten, these salts are expected to have high ionic conductivities (between 1 and 10 S m-1 c.a. 0.5 S m-1 typical of Li-ion electrolytes) sans organic solvents and large electrochemical stability windows beyond 0-5 V. The preclusion of organic solvents will improve battery safety, lower capacity loss and increase shelf life.
