The role of Na, K and Li cations for the conversion of protonated magadiite (H-magadiite) in presence of tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAOH), water and 1,4-dioxane as organic solvent, is investigated. The sodium-containing system is the most effective to the formation of a layered silicate structure (named KLS phase), while the lithium-containing system leads to another phase, FLS. Crystallization patterns and crystal morphologies are strongly influenced by the nature of the sodium salt added to the reaction mixture. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.