The facile syntheses of new, low-cost, non-fluorinated, sulfonyl-substituted imide and methide lithium salts are described. These salts, prepared for potential application in lithium ion rechargeable battery electrolytes, exhibit very good electrochemical and thermal behavior. While the salts are very soluble in DMSO and sulfolane, their solubilities in standard carbonate solvents is less than adequate for battery operations. Molecular modifications to improve solubility are in progress. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.