New polyphenols containing ether substituents have been prepared by enzymatic polymerization of the corresponding phenol monomers. The polyphenols were reacted with lithium hydroxide to obtain lithium polyphenolates (LPF-1 and LPF-2) which have been characterized as a new class of lithium ion sources for rechargeable lithium batteries. A number of solid polymer electrolytes were prepared by mixing these salts with a high molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide). High ionic conductivities were observed for the electrolytes derived from lithiated polyphenol containing pendant triethylene glycol monomethyl ether groups.
