A method for synthesizing an aluminophosphate based molecular sieve is described. The method may include the steps of: (a) preparing an aqueous mixture comprising water, a substituted hydrocarbon, and a 1-oxa-4-azacyclohexane derivative; (b) reacting the aqueous mixture; (c) obtaining a solution comprising an organo-1-oxa-4-azoniumcyclohexane compound; (d) forming a reaction mixture comprising reactive sources of Al, and P, and the solution; and (e) heating the reaction mixture to form the molecular sieve.