A process for producing an ElAPO molecular sieve with essentially pure CHA
framework having an average crystal size less than about 5 micrometers is
disclosed. When El is silicon, the process allows for a broad range of
silicon content, and produces a catalyst with a high selectivity for the
conversion of methanol to olefins. The process includes making a
crystalline metallo-aluminophosphate molecular sieve of the formula
(El.sub.xAl.sub.yP.sub.z)O.sub.2from a mixture comprising an aluminum
source, a phosphorous source, water, an El source, a fluorine source and
an organic template source wherein the molar ratio of the organic
template source to phosphorous is less than about 0.5; crystallizing the
molecular sieve at a temperature between 100 C and 250 C and calcining in
air.