Abstract: A base synthesis process and catalyst for the preparation of pyridine or its alkylpyridine derivatives involving the catalytic reaction of one or more aldehydes and/or ketones containing from one to about five carbon atoms, with at least one reactant having more than one carbon atom, with ammonia in the gas phase. The catalyst comprises an effective amount of a large-pore zeolite having been prepared with a silica to alumina ratio of at least 15, and at least a first dimension having first channels formed by twelve-membered rings, and a second dimension having second channels formed by ten- or twelve-membered rings which intersect the first channels. The preferred zeolite is a zeolite having the structure of zeolite beta.