Systematic anion exchange studies of aluminium and iron(III) in malonate solutions were carried out. Aluminium and iron form negatively charged complexes with malonic acid at pH 4.5. The malonate complexes can be adsorbed on a column (1.4×20 cm) of Dowex 21K. Various reagents (hydrochloric, sulfuric and nitric acids; ammonium chloride, bromide, sulfate and nitrate; and sodium chloride and nitrate) were tested as eluants. The efficiency of the eluants was evaluated in terms of elution constant, volume distribution coefficient and peak elution volume. Methods were developed for the separation of aluminium or iron from a large number of elements by taking advantage of the fact that certain elements form weaker or stronger malonate complexes as compared to those of aluminium or iron. The method was applied to the analysis of aluminiumbased alloy.