The microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of Cu-containing AFI structures AlPO 4 -5 and SAPO-5 in good product quality was successfully accomplished. The modification of texture, acidity and redox properties caused by incorporation of Cu was examined using XRD, SEM, TG/DTA, N 2 adsorption, UV–vis- and FTIR spectroscopy. Copper impregnated AlPO 4 -5 and SAPO-5 served as reference samples. Pyridine and CO were used as probe molecules to characterize acidity and nature of Cu species. XRD patterns of the calcined, template-free samples confirmed the crystallinity and the absence of any crystalline copper phase (Cu, Cu 2 O, CuO). Surface areas and pore volumes indicate the absence of pore blocking by amorphous material or agglomerated Cu species. Brønsted acid sites were created in CuAPO-5 confirming isomorphous substitution of Cu 2+ into the lattice. Cu 2+ /Cu + with Lewis acid character could be identified by FTIR spectroscopy using pyridine as probe molecule. Pre-reduction with CO and H 2 at various temperatures allowed a differentiation of Cu sites. An essential part of the Cu is located on non-lattice positions with high dispersion in form of isolated Cu 2+ . Reduction with CO revealed the existence of Cu 2+ sites bearing oxygen (e.g., Cu 2+ –O–Cu 2+ ). Reduction with H 2 and subsequent CO adsorption leads to Cu aquacarbonyls.