(Liquid + liquid) equilibrium (LLE) data for the ternary mixtures of (methanol + aniline + n-octane) and (methanol + aniline + n-dodecane) at T = 298.15 K and ambient pressure are reported. The compositions of liquid phases at equilibrium were determined and the results were correlated with the UNIQUAC and NRTL activity coefficient models. The partition coefficients and the selectivity factor of methanol for the extraction of aniline from the (aniline + n-octane or n-dodecane) mixtures are calculated and compared. Based on these comparisons, the efficiency of methanol for the extraction of aniline from (aniline + n-dodecane) mixtures is higher than that for the extraction of aniline from (aniline + n-octane) mixtures. The phase diagrams for the ternary mixtures including both the experimental and correlated tie lines are presented. From the phase diagrams and the selectivity factors, it is concluded that methanol may be used as a suitable solvent in extraction of aniline from (aniline + n-octane or n-dodecane) mixtures. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.