Disclosed is a compound represented by the following formula 1: ##STR00001## wherein, each of R.sup.1.about.R.sup.13 independently represents --H, --F, --Cl, --Br, --I, --OH, --SH, --COOH, --PO.sub.3H.sub.2, --NH.sub.2, --NO.sub.2, --O(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.nH (wherein, n is an integer of 1.about.5), C.sub.1.about.C.sub.12 alkyl group, C.sub.1.about.C.sub.12 aminoalkyl group, C.sub.1.about.C.sub.12 hydroxyalkyl group, C.sub.1.about.C.sub.12 haloalkyl group, C.sub.2.about.C.sub.12 alkenyl group, C.sub.1.about.C.sub.12 alkoxy group, C.sub.1.about.C.sub.12 alkylamino group, C.sub.1.about.C.sub.12 dialkylamino group, C.sub.6.about.C.sub.18 aryl group, C.sub.6.about.C.sub.18 aminoaryl group, C.sub.6.about.C.sub.18 hydroxyaryl group, C.sub.6.about.C.sub.18 haloaryl group, C.sub.7.about.C.sub.18 benzyl group, C.sub.7.about.C.sub.18 aminobenzyl group, C.sub.7.about.C.sub.18 hydroxybenzyl group, C.sub.7.about.C.sub.18 halobenzyl group, or nitrile group (--CN); and at least one of R.sup.4.about.R.sup.13 is nitrile group (--CN). A non-aqueous electrolyte comprising: (i) a lithium salt, (ii) a solvent, and (iii) a compound represented by formula 1; and a secondary battery comprising the non-aqueous electrolyte are also disclosed. When the compound represented by formula 1 is added to a non-aqueous electrolyte, it is possible to improve the safety of a secondary battery in an overcharged state.