Problems on catalyst production and catalyst performance with respect to
conventional 8-oxygen-membered ring micropore-containing crystalline
silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieves as non-equilibrium methylamine
synthesis catalysts, are resolved. A chabazite type crystalline
silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve having high purity and high
crystallinity and having, on a crystal grain surface, an amorphous oxide
layer whose Si/Al atomic ratio is greater than that of the whole crystal
grain can be stably produced with high yield with the use of a small
amount of structure directing agents by the present method characterized
in that hydrothermal treatment conducted in the production of
8-oxygen-membered ring micropore-containing crystalline
silicoaluminophosphate sieves is controlled under specified treating
conditions. The thickness and composition of the amorphous oxide layer,
which exert marked influence on the yield of dimethylamine synthesis, can
be easily controlled and reproduced under the conditions of catalyst
synthesis according to the invention. Thus, the catalyst of high
performance can be stably supplied by the present invention at a low cost
with reduced output of waste.