Pure and transition metal (Co, Fe) containing aluminophosphate molecular sieves were synthesized ionothermally by using a series of imidazolium-based ionic liquids as both solvent and structure-directing agent. Adopting this novel method, a large number of volatile organic solvents can be avoided, and the synthesis can be operated at near atmospheric pressure. Thus, the preparation becomes simple and safe compared with hydrothermal and solvothermal method. And, the recycling of ionic liquid can make the industrial synthesis process more efficient and environmental. The powder XRD patterns and FT-IR spectra displayed that all the synthesized samples were with sodalite structure. Crystal data for Co-substituted analogue: cubic, Pm-3n, a = 9.0192 angstrom and magnetic property analysis showed weak antiferromagnetic interactions between Co ions. The influences of synthesis conditions such as P2O5/Al2O3 ratio, crystallization temperature, and the variety of ionic liquids on the character of the products were systematically investigated. In addition, the recycling of ionic liquid was studied based on the NMR and TGA. (C) 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers.