The structures of completely exchanged Na+/Pr3+-beta ''-Al2O3 crystals have been investigated by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods at room temperature, The ionic distributions within the conduction layers are correlated with the crystal compositions. A decreasing cation content in the layers increases the lattice parameter c connected with an expansion of the conduction slabs resulting in an increased Beevers-Ross (BR) site occupancy by Pr3+ ions, Up to 52% of the lanthanide ions are found to occupy the lower coordinated BR positions. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.