Density, viscosity, refractive index, and heat of mixing measurements for {x(1) 1-butanol + (1 - x(1)) 2-butanone} at T = 303 K were made over the whole concentration range. Data of the binary mixture were further used to calculate the viscosity and refractive index deviations, and excess molar enthalpy. The excess or deviation properties were fitted with the Redlich-Kister polynomial relation to obtain their coefficients and standard deviations. The construction of an adiabatic calorimeter useful in the neighbourhood of room temperature is described. Its performance was. checked by measuring the heat of mixing for {x, benzene + (1 - x,) cyclohexane} over the whole concentration range at T = 298 K. Experimental results are within a standard deviation of 9 J . mol(-1) of the accepted literature values. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.