The present invention provides a method for the synthesis of MeAPO molecular sieves which includes the following steps: providing a source of alumina, a source of phosphorus, water, and a template suitable for forming a MeAPO molecular sieve; providing a source of metal (Me) including metal particles, the metal particles measuring, in their largest dimension, equal to or less than five nanometers; providing a water soluble organic solvent capable of solubilizing the source of metal; forming a synthesis mixture from the source of alumina, the source of phosphorus, the water, the template, the source of metal, and the solvent; and forming a MeAPO molecular sieve from the synthesis mixture.