Provided are (1) a novel phenyl sulfonate compound, (2) a nonaqueous electrolytic solution comprising an electrolyte salt dissolved in a nonaqueous solvent and containing a phenyl sulfonate compound of the following general formula (II) in an amount of from 0.01 to 10% by mass of the nonaqueous electrolytic solution, and (3) a lithium battery containing the nonaqueous electrolytic solution and excellent in low-temperature cycle property. (wherein X1 to X5 each independently represents a fluorine atom or a hydrogen atom, and from one to four of these are fluorine atoms; R2 represents a linear or branched alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a linear or branched alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms in which at least one hydrogen atom is substituted with a halogen atom, or an aryl group having from 6 to 9 carbon atoms).