Disclosed is an electrolyte for a rechargeable lithium battery including
an additive for overcharge inhibition comprising a compound represented
by formula 1; a lithium salt; and a non-aqueous organic solvent:
##STR00001## where R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are the same or
independently selected from H, CH.sub.3, C.sub.2H.sub.5, CH.dbd.CH.sub.2,
CH.dbd.CHCH.sub.3, or a functional group with N, P, or S.