In the reaction of ethanol, formaldehyde and ammonia over modified ZSM-5 catalysts, pyridine and picolines are synthesized. The catalysts studied were H-ZSM-5 with Si/Al ratios, 30, 150 and 280, Pb-ZSM-5 and W-ZSM-5. The yields of pyridine and picolines were 20-40 and 10-25 wt.-%, respectively. The pyridine/picoline ratio in the products increased with the Si/Al ratio of the ZSM-5. For the first time, the non-oxidative transformation of ethanol and ammonia to pyridine has been achieved in high yields.