Tris(trimethylsilyl) phosphite (P(OSi(CH3)(3))(3)) is a multifunctional electrolyte additive for scavenging HF and forming a cathode electrolyte interphase (CEO. Systematic analysis of the HF reaction pathways and redox potentials of P(OSi(CH3)(3))(3), OP(OSi(CH3)(3))(3), P(OSiF3)(3), and OP(OSiF3)(3), and their reaction products, using ab initio calculations allowed us to elucidate the operating mechanism of P(OSi(CH3)(3))(3) and verify the rules that determine its HF reaction pathways and electrochemical stability. While O-Si cleavage is the predominant HF scavenging pathway for P(OSi(CH3)(3))(3), O-P cleavage is stabilized by replacing CH3 with an electron-withdrawing group. Thus, P(OSiF3)(3) scavenges HF mainly through O-P cleavage to produce PF3, which has high oxidation stability. However, the O-Si cleavage pathway produces P(OSi(CH3)(3))(2)OH, P(OSi(CH3)(3)) (OH)(2), and P(OH)(3) sequentially, along with Si(CH3)(3)F. These PO3 systems, which are oxidized earlier than carbonate solutions and form tightly bonded units following oxidation, act as seed units for compact CEI growth. Moreover, the HF scavenging ability of PO3 systems is maintained during oxidation until all O-Si bonds are broken. As a strategy for developing additives with enhanced functionality, modifying P(OSi(CH3)(3))(3) by replacing CH3 with an electron-donating group to exclusively utilize the O-Si cleavage pathway for HF scavenging is recommended. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.