Molar excess enthalpies, H-m(E), measured by means of a Tian-Calvet microcalorimeter, for the ternary system {1-propanol + N,N,N-triethylamine (TEA) + 2-butanone} at T = 298.15 K are reported. Values of H-m(E) for the constituent binaries are available in the literature. The data are interpreted in terms of different interactional contributions to H-m(E). The coefficients of the corresponding fittings of binary and ternary H-m(E) values have been used to determine the partial molar excess enthalpies of each component. It is concluded that 1-propanol and TEA molecules can participate in interactions between unlike molecules, and that 2-butanone is mainly a breaker of interactions between like molecules. The DISQUAC model is applied, using binary parameters only, for the H-m(E) prediction of the ternary mixture investigated. Large differences between experimental values and theoretical results show the existence of ternary interactions. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.