Sensitive colour reactions given by 2-Hydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone; 4-Benzyloxyresacetophenone; 2′, 4′, 4-Trihydroxychalkone; 2-Hyaroxy-4′, 6′-dimethoxychalkone and 2-Methyl-5,7-dihydroxychromone are reported as chromatographic spray reagents for the detection of a number of metal ions on paper chromatograms. Sensitivity limits for detection of Be(II), Al(III), V(IV), Fe(II), Fe(III) and Th(IV) in relation to 2-Hydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone; 2′-Hydroxy-4′, 6′-dimethoxychalkone; 2′, 4′, 4-Trihydroxychalkone and 2-Methyl-5, 7-dihydroxychromone are also reported alongwith separation of groups of metal ions by using three new solvent systems.