Liquid phase synthesis of annelated pyridines over molecular sieve catalyst

Simple and selective single step synthesis of substituted octahydrophenanthridines and annelated pyridines was achieved using simple cyclic ketones, aliphatic aldehydes and ammonia over zeolites as catalyst under high pressure (autogeneous pressure) conditions with high yields and high conversions for the first time. The catalyst was inexpensive, environmentally friendly and could be reused many times without significant loss of activity.