Both solvents and structure-directing agents are very important in molecular sieves synthesis. Tetrabutylammonium bromide, tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate, tetrabutylammonium nitrate, tetrapropylammonium bromide,and 1-methyl-3-ethylimidazolium bromide were used to investigate the effect of molten salts/ionic liquids in dilute concentrations on the synthesis of zeolites. Products made include a microporous silicate with MFI-type framework and the layered silicate magadiite. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.