The thermal stability of 1M LiPF6, LiClO4, LiN(SO2CF2CF3)(2) (LiBETI) and LiPF3(CF2CF3)(3) (LiFAP) solutions in mixtures of ethylene carbonate, diethyl carbonate and dimethyl carbonate in the temperature range 40-350 degreesC was studied by ARC and DSC. NMR was used to analyze the reaction products at different reaction stages. The least thermally stable are LiClO4 solutions. LiPF3(CF2CF3)(3) solutions showed higher thermal stability than LiPF6 solutions. The highest thermal stability was found for LiN(SO2CF2CF3)(2) solutions. Studies by DSC and pressure measurements during ARC experiments with LiPF6 and LiFAP solutions detected an endothermic reaction, which occurs before a number of exothermic reactions as the temperature increases. Fluoride ions are formed and react with the alkyl carbonate molecules both as bases and as nucleophiles. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.