Abstract: An improved method of catalytic gaseous chemical synthesis of pyridine by reaction of ammonia and a carbonyl compound, preferably with added hydrogen, is described herein. The process employs as the catalyst a crystalline aluminosilicate zeolite which has been ion exchanged with a Group VIII metal of the Periodic Table. The preferred metal is palladium. Suitably, the Group VIII metal is present in an amount of about 0.01% to 5% by weight of the catalyst, preferably 0.1% to 2%. The crystalline aluminosilicate zeolite catalyst suitably has a silica to alumina mole rate of at least 15, preferably 30 to 200, and optimally, about 120 to 150. The process of the invention provides a high and selective yield of pyridine over a prolonged reaction period, and affords facile restorability of the catalyst.