MnAPO-5 was prepared by a microwave-assisted vapor-phase transport method at 180 degrees C in short times. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction. scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectra, UV-vis spectroscopic measurement, NH(3)-temperature-programmed desorption and esterification reaction. It was found that dry gels prepared with aluminum isopropoxide, phosphoric acid and manganese acetate could be transferred to MnAPO-5 in the vapors of triethylamine and water by the microwave-assisted vapor-phase transport method at 180 degrees C for less than 30 min. The crystallization time was greatly reduced by the microwave heating compared with the conventional heating. The resulting MnAPO-5 exhibited much smaller particle sizes, higher surface areas and slightly higher catalytic activity in the esterification of acetic acid and butyl alcohol than those prepared by the conventional vapor-phase transport method and hydrothermal synthesis. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.