H3NOHCl is used for the first time as anode material for lithium-ion batteries. Electrochemical results show that H3NOHCl with particle size of 4–12 μm can deliver an initial charge capacity of 1018.6 mAh g−1, which is much higher than commercial graphite. After 30 cycles, the reversible capacity can be kept at 676.1 mAh g−1 at 50 mA g−1. Up to 50 cycles, H3NOHCl still maintains a lithium storage capacity of 368.9 mAh g−1. Even cycled at 200 mA g−1, H3NOHCl can deliver a charge capacity of 715.7 mAh g−1. It suggests that H3NOHCl has high lithium storage capacity, excellent cycling stability and outstanding rate performance. Besides, the electrochemical reaction between H3NOHCl and Li is also investigated by various ex-situ techniques. It can be found that H3NOHCl irreversibly decomposes into Li3N and LiCl during the initial discharge process and LiNO2 can be formed after a reverse charge process.