2,6-Pyridinedicarbothioic acid (PDTC) is an organosulfur compound that is produced by some bacteria. It functions as a siderophore, a low molecular weight compound that scavenges iron. Siderophores solubilize compounds by forming strong complexes. PDTC is secreted by the soil bacteria Pseudomonas stutzeri and Pseudomonas putida.
PDTC can be synthesized in the laboratory by treating the diacid dichloride of pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic with H<sub>2</sub>S in pyridine:
This route produces the pyridinium salt of pyridinium-2,6-dicarbothioate. Treatment of this orange-colored salt with sulfuric acid gives colorless PDTC, which can then be extracted with dichloromethane.
The biosynthesis of PDTC remains unclear although some insights can be deduced from the genetics. It is suggested that Pseudomonas stutzeri may have acquired at least one of the genes by lateral transfer from mycobacteria. In a proposed biosynthetic sequence pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, a known bacterial metabolite, is activated as its bis-adenosine monophosphate (AMP) derivative. The sulfur donor and its activation remain uncertain.
PDTC binds to both Fe<sup>2+</sup> and Fe<sup>3+</sup>. The ferric complex is brown, whereas the ferrous complex is blue. In the presence of air, the ferrous complex oxidizes to the ferric compound. It is iron selective as only the Fe complex is soluble in water. PDTC is produced mainly during the exponential phase of bacterial growth. The conditions at which Pseudomonas produces PDTC is 25 ðC, pH=8 and sufficient aeration.