What is "difluorophosphate"

Difluorophosphate or difluorodioxophosphate or '''phosphorodifluoridate ''' is an anion with formula . It has a single negative charge and resembles perchlorate and monofluorosulfonate (SOF) in shape and compounds. These ions are isoelectronic, along with tetrafluoroaluminate. It forms a series of compounds. The ion is toxic to mammals as it causes blockage to iodine uptake in the thyroid. However it is degraded in the body over several hours.

Compounds containing difluorophosphate may have it as a simple uninegative ion, it may function as a difluorophosphato ligand where it is covalently bound to one or two metal atoms, or go on to form a networked solid. It may be covalently bound to a non metal or an organic moiety to make an ester or an amide.