Quantum-chemical calculations were performed to study the effect of Lewis acid centers introduced to liquid or polymer electrolytes as boric acid esters. Particular attention has been paid to the modeling of solvent effects on ion-ion and anion-acid center interactions. Calculated complexation energies for lithium salts and polymerizable boric acid esters with diols in different solvents were analyzed and related to available conductivity data. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.